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| Dutch citizen arrested in Belarus after illegally crossing border on bicycle to ‘start a new life,’ now faces five year entry ban | Dutch citizen arrested in Belarus after illegally crossing border on bicycle to ‘start a new life,’ now faces five year entry ban |
| (4 months later) | |
| A 48-year-old man from the Netherlands has been detained by guards near the Belarusian border after crossing it illegally from Lithuania. He claims his goal was to start a brand-new life in the politically troubled country. | A 48-year-old man from the Netherlands has been detained by guards near the Belarusian border after crossing it illegally from Lithuania. He claims his goal was to start a brand-new life in the politically troubled country. |
| According to Belarus’ State Border Committee, the Dutchman rode across the frontier by bicycle on April 25 and was detained in the country’s north-western Astravets district.The alarm was initially raised by Lithuanian border guards, who informed their Belarusian counterparts that an unknown man had been spotted near their shared frontier. | According to Belarus’ State Border Committee, the Dutchman rode across the frontier by bicycle on April 25 and was detained in the country’s north-western Astravets district.The alarm was initially raised by Lithuanian border guards, who informed their Belarusian counterparts that an unknown man had been spotted near their shared frontier. |
| He was caught hiding in the woods, 200m from the border. | He was caught hiding in the woods, 200m from the border. |
| The Dutchman told the authorities that he resorted to crossing the frontier because he wanted to start a new life in Belarus or Russia, but couldn’t get in legally. | The Dutchman told the authorities that he resorted to crossing the frontier because he wanted to start a new life in Belarus or Russia, but couldn’t get in legally. |
| The man will be fined and deported, and he will be banned from visiting Belarus for the next five years. | The man will be fined and deported, and he will be banned from visiting Belarus for the next five years. |
| Since 2017, Belarus has allowed all Dutch citizens, as well as those from other European Union member states and many other western countries, to visit the country visa-free for 30 days. However, borders are currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. | Since 2017, Belarus has allowed all Dutch citizens, as well as those from other European Union member states and many other western countries, to visit the country visa-free for 30 days. However, borders are currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| READ MORE: Belarus’ foreign minister insists allies still back embattled leader Lukashenko, says trade booming despite EU embargoes | READ MORE: Belarus’ foreign minister insists allies still back embattled leader Lukashenko, says trade booming despite EU embargoes |
| On the same day, Belarus reported a second illegal border crossing. According to the authorities, a Polish man bypassed a checkpoint to enter the country to try and find work. The Pole explained that he wanted to move to Belarus after a fight with his father, and he was unaware the frontier was guarded. | On the same day, Belarus reported a second illegal border crossing. According to the authorities, a Polish man bypassed a checkpoint to enter the country to try and find work. The Pole explained that he wanted to move to Belarus after a fight with his father, and he was unaware the frontier was guarded. |
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