{"id":159918,"date":"2025-10-14T12:22:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T09:22:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/159918\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"nausedas-aide-no-final-decision-on-cichanouskajas-security-detail","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/159918\/","title":{"rendered":"Naus\u0117da\u2019s aide: no final decision on Cichano\u016dskaja\u2019s security detail"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n \n
\n (Cichano\u016dskaja's office)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

October 14, Pozirk<\/em>. <\/strong>Lithuanian authorities have not yet taken a final decision to downgrade the security detail for Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja, Asta Skaisgiryt\u0117, the Lithuanian president\u2019s chief adviser, told \u017dini\u0173 radijas<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials are still debating the issue, while Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da expressed support for continued protection of Cichano\u016dskaja, noting that the decision should be made by security services concerned, LRT<\/em> reported, quoting her as saying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It must be \u201ca political decision,\u201d and Vilnius cannot treat it as a technicality, Skaisgiryt\u0117 stressed, noting that the government\u2019s \u201ctask is to ensure that she [Cichano\u016dskaja] feels safe in Lithuania.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, Lithuanian media reported that Vilnius would downgrade security for Cichano\u016dskaja. The news drew an immediate backlash, including from former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius allegedly transferred responsibility for Cichano\u016dskaja security from the Security Service to the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, which typically handles witness protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginien\u0117 told journalists on October 8 that security was being modified based on the level of threats, stressing that Vilnius would continue to protect the Belarusian pro-democracy leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja\u2019s office said it had been given a very short notice of possible new security arrangements and had been forced to suspend operations to make necessary adjustments. It added that it had not received details of the new arrangement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team discussed the issue with Foreign Minister K\u0119stutis Budrys, who reportedly reaffirmed Lithuania\u2019s unchanged position towards Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime and assured that Cichano\u016dskaja remains an official guest of the Lithuanian government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"