Lithuania Expels 22 Belarusians Over Security Concerns
Lithuania expelled 22 Belarusian citizens, declaring them a threat to national security, after they were linked to a company involved in a fraudulent EU-funded project and connections to the military-industrial complexes of Russia and Belarus.
Consensus
- Lithuania expelled 22 Belarusian nationals.
- The expelled individuals worked in a company involved in an EU-funded project.
- The company was linked to the military-industrial complexes of Russia and Belarus.
- Lithuania declared the 22 individuals a threat to national security.
- Their temporary residence permits were annulled.
- They were banned from re-entering the Schengen Area for five years.
- The company received EU funding for developing satellite navigation receivers for agriculture.
- The company allegedly obtained funds through fraud and concealed its military links.
- The investigation was conducted by Lithuania's Security Department, Financial Crime Investigation Service, and the European Prosecutor's Office.
- Two Belarusian nationals were found guilty in Vilnius District Court of fraud and document forgery.
- The two admitted guilt and compensated the EU for 447,200 euros.
Points of divergence
- The company was registered in Russia and involved in developing and testing satellite navigation chips for military purposes under EU sanctions. — tg_radiosvoboda
- The company was registered in Russia and involved in developing и testing satellite navigation chips for military purposes under EU sanctions. — tg_currenttime
- No details were provided about the company's registration or its involvement in military technology development. — interfax
Coverage (3 sources)
- Lithuania expelled 22 Belarusian citizens: they worked at a company with ties to Russia and Belarus' defense industry — Радио Свобода
- Lithuania expelled 22 Belarusian citizens: they worked at a company with ties to Russia and Belarus' defense industry — Настоящее Время
- Lithuania expelled 22 Belarusian citizens, recognizing them as a security threat — Интерфакс