Belarusian border guards have built a fence along the Belarusian-Latvian border, creating a buffer zone for migrants, Latvian Crisis Management Centre head Arvis Zīle said in an interview with Latvian defence publication Sargs.LV.
Zile noted that the Belarusian regime has changed its tactics and that there is now “complete inaction” by Belarusian border guards on the border with Latvia.
“If you remember, these illegal migrants were detained with radios belonging to the Armed Forces of Belarus, which was precisely the evidence. Now, as far as the border is concerned — specifically our ‘green’ border — there is complete inaction on the part of the Belarusian border forces.
Fewer and fewer border guards are being seen in this particular area near the border, by the fence. This gives illegal border crossers the opportunity to act freely in the area by the fence: to do whatever they want, set up camps, light fires and prepare to damage this border fence,” Zile said.
According to Zile, Belarus has built a fence on its territory, creating a kind of buffer zone between its fence and the Latvian border guards’ barrier.
“Belarus has created a second fence deeper inside its territory, which is guarded and where border guards are stationed. And now, between the actual state border and the second fence, a kind of buffer zone has been created, where these seekers of a ‘better life’ are allowed in. They can do whatever they want there, but they are not allowed back deeper into Belarusian territory. Their only way is to try to break through into Europe,” he said.
The head of the Crisis Management Centre noted that migrants have various tools with them to damage the fence, such as bolt cutters. This indicates that they are prepared in advance.
“But yes, when they are directly at the border, it is more difficult to gather evidence of the involvement of the Belarusian authorities because this buffer zone has been created, where they live. However, one fact is important: the absolute inaction of the Belarusian authorities is also considered a crime and support for this illegal migration,” Zile said.
