Один из метеозондов, перехваченных в Литве. Иллюстративное фото: VSAT
Lithuanian airports have appealed to the Prosecutor General’s Office with a request to open a pre-trial investigation into the launch of weather balloons carrying smuggled goods from the territory of Belarus, Delfi reported, citing Elta.
The director of the Department of Security and Resilience at Lithuanian Airports, Vidas Kšonas, stated that the launch of weather balloons from foreign territory may be considered support for a state undertaking unfriendly actions against Lithuania. According to him, such incidents undermine the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic stability.
“Given the disruption of airport operations and the threat to national security, we see grounds to approach the Prosecutor’s Office to initiate a pre-trial investigation,” his statement said.
Kšonas stressed that once the individuals responsible for launching the weather balloons are identified, the airports plan to file additional civil claims for compensation. Data are currently being collected on losses incurred both by the airport operator and by partners — airlines and service providers.
According to the airports’ representative, liability for crimes against the state may entail up to seven years of imprisonment and can apply to both individuals and legal entities. He expressed confidence that the investigation and subsequent actions will demonstrate a clear state position and serve as an effective deterrent for potential offenders.
Lithuanian airports are supported in this process by airlines, ground-handling providers, and other partners who faced cancellations, delays, and route changes as a result of the incidents.