The decree issued by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko on October 31st escalates tensions that began after Poland and Lithuania tightened border controls in September.
Twenty member states warn that the inability to remove rejected or criminal Afghan asylum seekers is undermining public trust and putting European security at risk.
Disruptions to flights ensued when about 25 contraband-carrying weather balloons illegally entered Lithuania’s airspace, temporarily shutting down Vilnius airport.
