U.S. citizen detained in Belarus after train border crossing
A 27-year-old U.S. citizen has been detained at the train station in Maladzyechna for illegally crossing the border from Lithuania into Belarus. Customs services took action following his arrival in an empty freight carriage.
What do you need to know?
- Where was the detention? The 27-year-old American was detained at the train station in Maladzyechna, in central Belarus.
- Why was he detained? The man illegally crossed the border from Lithuania into Belarus by travelling in an empty freight train carriage.
- What will happen next to the detainee? After facing administrative charges, the American will be deported back to Lithuania.
How did the illegal border crossing happen?
According to information provided by the independent Belarusian service Zerkalo, the 27-year-old American arrived in Belarus on Sunday in an empty freight train carriage. The train was travelling from Kiena, Lithuania, to Maladzyechna. The border guard initiated administrative proceedings against the American for illegal border crossing.
Why was he denied entry earlier?
Zerkalo reported that the American had tried twice to enter Belarus on 24 March but was denied entry. The reason was his inability to prove he had sufficient funds to stay in the country. Lithuanian border guards confirmed that the U.S. citizen had legally resided in Lithuania for several weeks.
Is the detainee connected to the training ground accident?
The Lithuanian border guard assured that the detained American is not connected in any way to the training ground accident in Pabradė, where three American soldiers died. One U.S. soldier is still missing.
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