MINSK, 19 October (BelTA) - Another group of refugees was discovered on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, BelTA learned from the State Border Committee of Belarus.
"On 18 October, Belarusian border guards discovered a group of refugees on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. Some of them were very cold and were so exhausted that they were lying down on the cold ground. Meanwhile, Lithuanian servicemen were standing nearby watching the situation from the other side of the border," the State Border Committee said.
The refugees said that in response to the request for refugee status, Lithuania invited them to proceed deeper into their territory. Already on the spot, their money and documents were taken away from them, they were beaten, including with the use of a stun gun, insulted and denied food and water. The phones of those who did not have time to hide them were taken and destroyed. Then the Lithuanian security forces brought 11 people - citizens of Sudan, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria and Mali - to the border and tried to push them to the Belarusian territory.
"The refugees also noted that Lithuanian servicemen smashed their phones to make sure they would not be able to share photos and videos with journalists and international organizations. Disclosure of the information about the ways Lithuania, Poland, or Latvia treat refugees will not bode well for their reputation," the committee added.
