Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has temporarily regained state security protection in Lithuania, her diplomatic adviser said Friday, following a decision to restore limited support from the country’s Dignitary Protection Service while a new protection system is established.
“Yesterday we were given temporary security support from the Dignitary Protection Service until a new security system is created,” Dzianis Kuchynski, Tsikhanouskaya’s diplomatic adviser, told LRT.lt. “We have also resumed the activities of our office. We hope to find common solutions to ensure the continuity of our work in Lithuania.”
He added that the Belarusian opposition remains deeply grateful to Lithuania for its longstanding support.
“Regardless of circumstances or Lithuania’s decisions, Belarusians will always be thankful to Lithuania for its support of our struggle and for welcoming Belarusians,” Kuchynski said. “Our task is to restore freedom to Belarus, return home and be a reliable neighbour for Lithuania.”
Earlier this month, the Lithuanian government decided to reduce the level of protection for Tsikhanouskaya, who lives in Vilnius, transferring responsibility from the Dignitary Protection Service, which protects Lithuania’s top state officials, to the Criminal Police Bureau. Under the new arrangement, her security would be provided not as to a head of state but as to a person facing potential threats.
Tsikhanouskaya, however, was to retain her Category C guest status as an official foreign visitor, and Lithuania confirmed that the Belarusian Democratic Representation – her office in exile – would keep its official accreditation.
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