Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has cancelled a planned visit to Armenia after Lithuanian authorities refused her team’s request to send a bodyguard with her, the news website 15min.lt reported Friday.
“Yes, I can confirm that we had to make this difficult decision to cancel our long-planned first visit to Armenia for the Euronest plenary session,” Tsikhanouskaya’s adviser Dzianis Kuchynski told the outlet. “This has to do with the decision to suspend the use of close protection – the Dignitary Protection Service – abroad.”
Kuchynski said the team had offered to cover the cost of one security officer’s trip to Yerevan but emphasised that they would not criticise Lithuania’s decision. He thanked Lithuanian leaders for their continued support.
The Euronest plenary, an inter-parliamentary assembly between the European Parliament and the parliaments of the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries, is being held in Yerevan.
Earlier this month, Lithuanian authorities reduced the level of protection provided to Tsikhanouskaya and her office. While her home and office remain guarded, she no longer has personal security detail in Lithuania or abroad.
The decision sparked mixed reactions in Lithuania. Critics accused the government of yielding to those who believe Tsikhanouskaya is receiving excessive attention and resources, while supporters said the change reflected a lower threat level and logistical considerations.
Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Friday that Lithuania continues to offer diplomatic assistance for Tsikhanouskaya’s foreign visits but that security matters fall under the Dignitary Protection Service.
“All issues related to the organisation of security are decided by the responsible institutions,” Budrys told reporters. “We are ready to provide full diplomatic support in countries visited by Ms Tsikhanouskaya.”
He said the decision to adjust her protection “was not political” and suggested that her office should discuss any obstacles directly with the security service.
Officers from Lithuania’s Dignitary Protection Service have guarded Tsikhanouskaya since she fled to Lithuania in 2020 following Belarus’ disputed presidential election.
According to 15min.lt, Tsikhanouskaya is now considering relocating her office from Lithuania to Poland.
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