Lithuania's intelligence agency says there can be protests and “provocations” during the independence day on February 16.
Moreover, small but aggressive groups might take advantage of the holiday to fuel public unrest, according to the State Security Department (VSD).
On Wednesday, Lithuania is celebrating its declaration of independence from the Russian Empire on February 16, 1918.
“Pro-Kremlin actors, spreaders of Covid conspiracy theories, as well as individuals interested in radicalising public sentiments and destabilising the situation in the country are calling for provocations directly or through hints, especially on social media,” the VSD said in a statement.
A protest against the government's pandemic measures was organised on January 13, another national holiday. In August, a rally near the parliament descended into a riot. More than 100 people were later charged as part of a pre-trial investigation.
The intelligence agency said its warnings were informed by “recent trends” in Lithuania and other countries in Europe and North America.
“Besides peaceful participants, recent events have also attracted promoters of political extremism, supporters of the Kremlin and Minsk regimes, as well as individuals with aggressive tendencies,” the intelligence service said. “The VSD believes such events are likely during the February 16 mass events.”
The department has also briefed politicians and state institutions about possible provocations, it added.
Read more: Anti-vaxx protesters disrupt Freedom Defenders’ Day events in Vilnius
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