Lithuania is seeking compensation from Belarus, alleging Minsk deliberately created a migrant crisis at their shared border.
Lithuania is seeking over €200 million ($227 million) from Belarus in damages related to the migrant situation, claiming Vilnius believes Minsk orchestrated the crisis, according to BNS.
The crisis began in 2021, with Belarus becoming a key transit point for Middle Eastern migrants seeking entry into the EU. While Poland was most affected, Latvia and Lithuania also experienced impacts. Minsk denies facilitating illegal crossings and accuses EU countries of mistreating asylum seekers.
According to BNS, citing the Lithuanian Ministry of Justice, the claim originates from a case filed last week with the ICJ. Lithuania accuses Belarus of violating international obligations by failing to secure their shared border.
“Lithuania’s complaint seeks reparations, with preliminary damage estimates exceeding €200 million,” the ministry told BNS. The figure represents expenses incurred by Lithuanian authorities between 2021 and 2023 and may be adjusted.
The complaint cites expenses such as the construction of physical barriers, surveillance system upgrades, and the deployment of a significant number of personnel to the border.
In 2021, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland declared states of emergency and announced barrier construction plans. Warsaw is reportedly considering joining Lithuania’s case.
BNS reports that Lithuanian border guards have stopped 23,600 illegal entry attempts since the crisis began.
An Amnesty International report in 2022 accused Lithuania of using racially biased and unlawful tactics against migrants from Africa and the Middle East, alleging Brussels ignored these violations.
Tensions between Belarus and the EU escalated following the 2020 presidential election and subsequent protests over alleged widespread fraud. Minsk denies the allegations, claiming the unrest was instigated by the US, its European allies, and Ukraine.
The EU accuses Belarus of orchestrating the migrant influx by arranging flights from countries like Iraq and Syria and directing migrants to the border in retaliation for Western sanctions. Minsk accuses the EU of waging a “hybrid war” by supporting exiled opposition figures and banned media outlets.