One of the 52 political prisoners released by Belarus on Thursday refused to enter Lithuania, border officials confirmed.
The State Border Guard Service (VSAT) said the man appeared at the Medininkai checkpoint but did not cross into Lithuania. Instead, he turned back deeper into Belarusian territory, accompanied by several Belarusian officials.
“He was on the other side and did not cross into Lithuania. There was no attempt to cross the border. Now he is no longer there, as he walked back,” VSAT spokesman Giedrius Mišutis told reporters.
Belarusian outlet Nasha Niva identified the man as Mikalai Statkevich, a former opposition leader and presidential candidate. Lithuanian officials have not confirmed his identity, saying it remains unclear because he never formally entered Lithuanian territory.
The Foreign Ministry also confirmed that one of the released prisoners chose not to leave Belarus. “I can confirm that there is one person who wishes to stay. He is currently on Belarusian territory, not in Lithuania,” Kristina Belikova, spokeswoman for designated Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, told the news agency ELTA.
On Thursday, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda held an urgent press conference announcing that Belarus had freed 52 political prisoners, including six Lithuanian citizens. He thanked US President Donald Trump for helping broker the deal and Foreign Minister Budrys, who was at the border when the prisoners were released.
LRT.lt understands that US diplomats were also present at the crossing point.
