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Lithuania Files ICJ Case Against Belarus Over Alleged Migrant Smuggling

Vilnius accuses Minsk of orchestrating illegal migration to destabilize the EU and seeks compensation for border security costs.

Overview

  • Lithuania has formally submitted a case to the International Court of Justice, alleging Belarus violated the UN Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air.
  • The Baltic nation claims Belarusian state-owned enterprises facilitated flights from the Middle East and that Belarusian security forces escorted migrants to the border and forced illegal crossings.
  • Lithuania seeks full compensation for damages, including expenses incurred to reinforce its border against the influx of migrants.
  • The case builds on years of tension, with Lithuania and the EU accusing Belarus of weaponizing migration as a political tool since 2021.
  • Belarus denies the allegations, while Lithuania emphasizes the need for international accountability to deter future violations.