RIGA, May 10 (LETA) - Considering the persistently tense situation with illegal migration on the Latvian-Belarusian border, the Latvian government on Tuesday decided to extend the state of emergency in several municipalities bordering with Belarus until August 10. 

The state of emergency over illegal immigration from Belarus was first declared in the municipalities of Ludza, Kraslava and Augsdaugava, as well as Daugavpils City on August 11, 2021, and later it was extended until May 10. 

The Ministry of the Interior has indicated that since August 10, 2021, a total of 6,656 people have been deterred from illegally crossing from Belarus into Latvia. Since the state of emergency was declared, border guards have allowed 156 people to enter Latvia on humanitarian grounds, while a total of 508 citizens of third countries have been detained for illegal border crossing. 

Although the number of illegal border crossings has decreased, border guards still have to deal with illegal attempts to enter Latvia from Belarus. Altogether 863 persons were deterred from crossing the border in February, 267 in March and 20 in April, the Ministry of the Interior informed. 

Russia's in Ukraine, which Belarus supports, is another important factor when considering the protection of Latvia's borders. The Ministry of the Interior believes that stepped up border controls are still necessary, including by extending the state of emergency. 

As part of the hybrid attack launched by Belarusian authoritarian dictator Alexander Lukashenko, attempts have been made since last spring to push thousands of illegal migrants across the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish borders in a bid to trigger a migrant crisis.