Latvia extends state of emergency over illegal migration from Belarus until August

• Published date: 10 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

RIGA, May 10 (LETA) - Considering the persistently tense situation with illegal migration on the Latvian-Belarusian border, the Latvian government on Tuesday decided to extend the state of emergency in several municipalities bordering with Belarus until August 10.

The state of emergency over illegal immigration from Belarus was first declared in the municipalities of Ludza, Kraslava and Augsdaugava, as well as Daugavpils City on August 11, 2021, and later it was extended until May 10.

The Ministry of the Interior has indicated that since August 10, 2021, a total of 6,656 people have been deterred from illegally crossing from Belarus into Latvia. Since the state of emergency was declared, border guards have allowed 156 people to enter Latvia on humanitarian grounds, while a total of 508 citizens of third countries have been detained for illegal border crossing.

lthough the number of illegal border crossings has...