Lithuania has not yet made a final decision on the level of security to be provided for Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, President Gitanas Nausėda’s chief foreign policy adviser said Tuesday.
“As I understand it, the government has not yet reached final decisions; discussions are still underway,” Asta Skaisgirytė told the radio Žinių Radijas.
Skaisgirytė said Nausėda believes Tsikhanouskaya should continue to receive protection, though the scope and form of that protection should be determined by the appropriate agencies.
However, she added that the issue is not purely technical. “We cannot reduce this to technicalities alone, but technically it must still be the right decision,” she said.
According to the adviser, Tsikhanouskaya’s status in Lithuania remains unchanged: she continues to hold guest status, and the accreditation granted by the Foreign Ministry to the Belarusian Democratic Representation remains valid.
“When making its decisions, the government will likely take this whole set of circumstances into account,” Skaisgirytė said.
Lithuania reduced Tsikhanouskaya’s security level in October. The Criminal Police Bureau has taken over responsibility from the Dignitary Protection Service, meaning her home and office remain guarded, but she no longer receives personal protection in Lithuania or abroad.
Commenting on speculation that Tsikhanouskaya might relocate to Poland, Skaisgirytė said, “Ms Tsikhanouskaya is a free person, not in prison. Of course, if she wished, she could consider other options, but our responsibility is to make sure she feels safe in Lithuania.”
Tsikhanouskaya’s office said it continues to operate despite the revised security arrangements, though only part of the staff currently works on-site. The office also reported an increase in threats since Lithuania’s decision to scale back protection.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
