The Lithuanian government has added changes to the Law of Citizenship, cutting down opportunities for persons posing a threat to national security to obtain or restore Lithuanian citizenship.
The new amendments were adopted by the Interior Minister, Agne Bilotaite and other members of the Lithuanian Seimas and aimed at increasing the national security, Schengen.News reports.
Our main goal is to guarantee the security of the Lithuanian state and effectively manage the processes of acquiring and losing citizenship, taking into account the complex geopolitical situation and our national interests.
The Interior Minister pointed out that the amendments to the law will ensure that persons who support aggressor countries or pose a threat to the security of our country do not have access to Lithuanian citizenship.
New Citizenship Law Changes Could Include Several Rules for Foreigners in Lithuania
According to a press release by the Interior Ministry, the amendments to the Citizenship Law propose the following changes:
- Revoking Lithuanian citizenship for persons who have dual citizenship and represent a threat to national security.
- Revoking the citizenship for those that support a foreign state that poses a danger to Lithuania or any other EU country.
- Revoking citizenship for individuals who support acts committed by foreign states that are not aligned with international law.
At present, only those who have had their citizenship granted under extraordinary circumstances, such as being granted citizenship for their contributions and merits in the Republic of Lithuania, can have their citizenship revoked.
The authorities want that people who fall into one of these categories, to not be able to obtain, restore, preserve or return Lithuanian citizenship.
Over 2,400 People Applied to Obtain Lithuanian Citizenship in 2023
The most recent case of a dual citizenship holder that was revoked Lithuanian citizenship occurred last month. Former Russian ballerina was stripped of Lithuanian citizenship after making statements that support Putin’s regime.
Now is the time when I can’t help but talk about the fact that I love my country and that I support my president. And if those words seem to Lithuania as proof that I need to be stripped of my citizenship, then what can I do? I can’t change. I think that now is the time to be silent. And I express my position.
In addition to Liepa, Lithuania has been stripped of citizenship by Margarita Drobiazko, an ice dancer and her husband Povilas Vanagas’.