Lithuanian customs: car with smuggled cigarettes caused fire at Medininkai crossing

April 18, Pozirk. The Porsche Cayenne, which caught fire in a customs hangar at the Medininkai border crossing at the Lithuanian-Belarusian border early on April 18, transported smuggled cigarettes, Delfi reported, citing customs official Irmina Frolova-Milašienė.

Customs officers reportedly discovered a stash of cigarettes during a regular inspection.

A Lithuanian customs officer was poisoned by carbon monoxide during the fire, which started at around 3 am.

The car and the inspection hangar burned down, while the fire also damaged an administrative building.

Lithuania resumed processing Belarus-bound vehicles, yet the Lithuania-bound traffic remains suspended, the Belarusian State Border Committee said.

In August 2023, Lithuania closed its Šumskas and Tverečius checkpoints, and in March 2024, Lavoriškės and Raigardas, leaving only Medininkai and Šalčininkai to handle the cross-border traffic.

Vilnius cited national security, smuggling and international sanctions as the reasons.

Vilnius may be considering closing Šalčininkai in mid-May, recent reports said.

Politics Security Society

Politics, Security, Society

Seimas committee proposes limit on Belarusians’ home travel

April 17, Pozirk. A Seimas committee on April 17 approved the proposal that Lithuania revoke residence permits from Belarusians and Russians who travel to their home countries more frequently than once in three months, Delfi reported. Frequent visits may give rise to …

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