RIGA, Jun 11 (LETA) - Border guards in Ludza municipality on Tuesday detained a Russian citizen for transporting persons who illegally crossed the state border, the State Border Guard informed LETA.

The State Police stopped a Volvo car registered in Estonia, driven by a Russian citizen, in Lauderi municipality. In the car, there were five persons of Asian origin without valid travel documents and valid visas and residence permits, who had illegally crossed the Belarusian-Latvian border,.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the carrier for illegal tranportation of a person across the state border.

Five persons have been prevented from crossing the border illegally.

So far this year, border guards have prevented attempts by 5,162 people to illegally enter Latvia from Belarus.

As reported, 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.

In 2025, 12,046 people were prevented from crossing the Belarusian-Latvian border illegally, while 31 were admitted on humanitarian grounds. In 2024, border guards stopped 5,388 migrants from entering Latvia and allowed 26 people to cross the border on humanitarian grounds.