Фото: rs.gov.lv
Latvian border guards used warning shots while detaining migrants who had illegally crossed the Belarusian-Latvian border and the couriers transporting them, the Latvian Border Guard said.
On Thursday, July 2, border guards stopped a Dodge vehicle after a pursuit in Laucesa Parish. The driver and passengers got out of the vehicle and attempted to flee. Border guards ordered them in English and Latvian to stop and warned that firearms would be used. When they failed to comply, the officers fired warning shots into the air.
The four passengers were then detained. It was established that they had illegally crossed the Belarusian-Latvian border and did not possess documents allowing them to stay in Latvia. Shortly afterwards, the driver, a Moldovan citizen, was also detained.
A second incident took place in Daugavpils. After a Chrysler was stopped, the driver attempted to flee. He was detained after border guards fired warning shots into the air. Six people who had recently crossed the Belarusian-Latvian border illegally were found in the vehicle.
A third Moldovan citizen was detained in Kalkūne Parish without warning shots being fired.
The 10 migrants were returned to the Belarusian border. Administrative proceedings were launched against the Moldovan citizens. It was established that they had been staying in Latvia without completing and submitting the mandatory declaration required under national security threat prevention measures.