{"id":134957,"date":"2025-04-19T20:05:09","date_gmt":"2025-04-19T17:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/134957\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"latvia-warns-against-trips-to-belarus-russia-for-easter","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/134957\/","title":{"rendered":"Latvia warns against trips to Belarus, Russia for Easter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n
\n\n Paternieki border checkpoint at the Latvian-Belarudian border\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (vni.lv)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

April 19, <\/strong>Pozirk.<\/strong> <\/em>Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) urged Latvian residents to refrain from traveling to Belarus and Russia for the Easter, celebrated by all Christians on April 20 this year, citing “high risks of intelligence, recruitment and provocations,\u201d vdd.gov.lv<\/em> said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intelligence and security services of both countries “aggressively use the opportunity to interrogate and recruit foreigners in their territory,” the VDD warned, noting that Latvian authorities have limited possibilities to assist their nationals in Russia or Belarus, described as aggressor states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The VDD recommended using burner phones to avoid smartphone checks and potential information leaks if the trips cannot be avoided. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelers may become targets of recruitment already at border crossings, as intelligence officers often pose as border guards or use other covers, the agency said. These officers can obtain important information even during a casual conversation, it added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusian authorities recorded 341,553 border crossings by Latvian nationals and aliens since April 2022 when the visa waiver program came into force. Aliens (nepilso\u0146i) is a special status given to former USSR citizens remaining in Latvia without any voting rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, the Latvian foreign ministry reported that 26 Latvian nationals had been arrested in Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"