RIGA, March 12 (LETA) - Seven people attempted to illegally enter Latvia from Belarus on Wednesday, LETA was told at the State Border Guard.

So far this year, border guards have prevented attempts by 36 people to illegally enter Latvia from Belarus.

In 2025, 12,046 people were prevented from crossing the Belarusian-Latvian border illegally, while 50 were admitted on humanitarian grounds.

On Wednesday, border guards in Latvia detected a total of 44 offenders.

At the Grebneva, Terehova, Paternieki, and airport border control points, one Russian citizen was denied entry into Latvia because the foreigner did not have a valid visa or residence permit.

One Moldovan and one Ukrainian citizen were denied entry into Latvia because they had already stayed in the territory of the Schengen Member States for 90 days during the previous 180 days.

Similarly, three Moldovan and two Ukrainian citizens were denied entry into Latvia because they could not justify the purpose and circumstances of their entry and stay.

For security reasons, two citizens of Kazakhstan, two citizens of Russia, and one citizen of Moldova were also denied entry into Latvia and returned to their countries of departure.

Five Russian and one Uzbek citizen who had violated the conditions of stay in the Schengen area countries were detected at the Terehova and airport border control points, and the persons were held administratively liable.

During immigration control measures within the country, violations of entry or residence regulations were detected in three persons - two Afghan and one Pakistani citizens.

Fifteen persons were brought to administrative responsibility or denied entry for violations in the field of vehicle and vessel operation.

The government has extended the reinforced surveillance regime along Latvia's border with Belarus until June 30, 2026.

The reinforced border security regime is in force in Ludza and the parishes of Ludza municipality, Kraslava and the parishes of Kraslava municipality, Augsdaugava municipality, Daugavpils, and the Kaunata parish in Rezekne municipality.

Latvian authorities consider attempts by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko's regime to push migrants across Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish borders to be methods of hybrid warfare targeting these countries.