Former foreign minister says Lithuanians can be provoked during travel to Belarus

November 14, BPN. The Lithuanians visiting Belarus for all kinds of reasons should be aware of their vulnerability and the fact that they can become victims of provocation, former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius has told Žinių radijas.

He was commenting on the recent arrest of Lithuanian national Alena Cymbalist in Minsk. The diplomat said Lithuanian authorities warned citizens against travel to Belarus many times.

He called the Lithuanian-Belarus relationship complicated, noting that Belarus does not strictly comply with international standards.

On November 1, Belarusian police-linked Telegram channels reported that Alena Cymbalist, 58, a teacher at Minsk’s School No 173, was arrested. She was reportedly persecuted for participating in 2020 protests and subscribing to “destructive” Telegram channels.