Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been told she must leave her safe accommodation in Vilnius because the level of security provided to her by Lithuanian authorities has been reduced.
This is evident in a note sent by one of its employees to the embassies of Western countries, which was provided to Radio Free Europe by a diplomatic source from one member of the European Union and NATO, and confirmed by two others.
It is stated that the decision was communicated to Tihanovska's office on October 1, and that the reduction in the level of security, which, instead of a special service for the protection of VIPs as was the case before, is now the job of ordinary police, began on October 6.
"We were also told that she will have to leave the secure accommodation she has been in for five years within 2-3 weeks. Close protection has also been lifted," the note said.
Diplomatic sources told RFE/RL that Tihanovska will lose the bodyguards who constantly followed her and will instead receive lower-level police protection.
She did not comment on these allegations.
On October 9, Tikhanovskaya announced on social media that "regardless of the obstacles, we will not stop. My team and I will continue to fight for political prisoners, defend the interests of Belarusians, and draw the world's attention to the crimes of (Belarusian President Alexander) Lukashenko."
The move by Lithuanian authorities has raised concerns about Tikhanovskaya's security amid fears she could be targeted by Belarusian agents. The downgrade of her security was first announced on October 6.
Tikhanovskaya has been an official guest of the Lithuanian government since she was forced to leave her country in 2020, when she headed the main organization of the Belarusian opposition in exile from an office in Vilnius. Due to reduced security, the office switched to remote work.
There are 57.511 Belarusian citizens living in Lithuania, according to official data released in January.
Although many are there for economic reasons, Lithuania has provided refuge to people fleeing the brutal crackdown on mass protests following the disputed 2020 elections in which the authoritarian Lukashenko declared victory.
Opposition leaders and most European governments, including Lithuania, have refused to recognize Lukashenko's sixth consecutive election victory, claiming the election was rigged.
A new government took power in Vilnius this summer, which some critics say has softened its stance towards Minsk, but Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris assured reporters a few days ago that Lithuania's stance towards Belarus has not changed.
Previously, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene stated that the decision to reduce Tihanovska's security level was made based on a risk assessment and that she "has security, but it has been adjusted to take into account the current reality," according to her words, reported by the Delfi news portal.
The Lithuanian Public Television and Radio Service reported that the annual cost of Tikhanovskaya's protection - one million euros - was also a factor.
"It's definitely a question of resources. It also seems that such a level of protection was not necessary," ruling Social Democrat MP Remigijus Motuzas told ELTA.
Former Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, now in the opposition, disagrees. He responded to the decision by claiming that Lithuania was "betraying" Tikhanovskaya.
"The reasons for this decision remain unclear, but it is clear that Lukashenko benefits the most - forcing Svetlana to leave in the hope of silencing her, questioning her legitimacy is exactly what he has long dreamed of," he wrote.
Lukashenko is trying to break out of the diplomatic isolation he has faced since the 2020 crackdown and has spoken by phone with US President Donald Trump and agreed with Washington to release many political prisoners, including Tikhanovskaya's husband, Serhiy Tikhanovskaya.
In return, Washington lifted sanctions on Belarus' state-owned airline Belavia.
Oppositionist Landsbergis said that the current Lithuanian government also wants to improve relations with Lukashenko.
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