(Reuters) Lithuania on Thursday sent five Afghan migrants back to Belarus shortly after they had crossed the border despite the European Court of Human Rights earlier saying they should be allowed to stay.
The migrants had tried to enter Lithuania unsuccessfully at least 10 times since Aug. 29, their lawyer said. Their case had been brought to the European Court.
The Lithuanian border guard said the five had been detained and sent back into Belarus on Thursday before noon having just crossed over the border.
“We intend to not allow the illegal migrants into Lithuanian territory,” the guard said in a statement.
