The Lithuanian government approved on Wednesday a bill directly targeting Russians and Belarusians. They are prohibited from purchasing properties near strategic sites, including military installations, reports France Presse, quoted by Agerpres.
If approved by the Parliament in Vilnius, the new law will allow for a “significant reduction in intelligence operations (espionage, ed.), as well as the possibility of using real estate properties as a means of support in hybrid operations, especially the surveillance of military exercises, tracking troop movements, gathering information or organizing provocations,” as mentioned in the text.
The prohibition equally targets those who hold a residence permit in this Baltic country, a member of NATO and the EU, a firm ally of Ukraine. Exceptions will be made when the property is acquired through inheritance.
Thousands of Russians and Belarusians have bought properties in Lithuania.
According to data from the Lithuanian Register Center, dating back to last May, 5,104 Russian citizens and 2,781 Belarusian citizens holding temporary or permanent residence permits in Lithuania have acquired real estate in this country. The list includes properties located near important sites for national security.
The new rules are expected to come into effect on January 1 and will only apply to new procurement contracts. Latvia and Finland have already imposed similar restrictions.
Europeans are increasingly concerned about the proliferation of “hybrid” attacks on their territories, for which Russia is suspected. These are primarily intentionally set fires and acts of sabotage.
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