Lithuania to Bar Foreign Nationals Posing Security Threat from Obtaining Citizenship

The Lithuanian government has introduced significant amendments to its Law of Citizenship, aimed at restricting individuals who pose a threat to national security from obtaining or restoring Lithuanian citizenship.

These changes were spearheaded by Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė and members of the Lithuanian Seimas, with the goal of bolstering the country’s national security.

"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," said Bilotaitė.

The Interior Minister emphasized that the changes to the law will prevent individuals who support hostile nations or pose security risks from gaining access to Lithuanian citizenship.

According to a press release from the Interior Ministry, the proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law include the following key provisions:

1. Revocation of Lithuanian citizenship for individuals with dual nationality who are deemed a threat to national security.

2. Denial of citizenship to those who support foreign states posing a danger to Lithuania or other EU nations.

3. Revocation of citizenship for individuals backing actions by foreign states that violate international law.

Under current regulations, only those who have been granted Lithuanian citizenship under extraordinary circumstances, such as for their contributions to the state, can have their citizenship revoked. The new amendments seek to extend this rule to any individuals who meet the outlined criteria, preventing them from obtaining, restoring, or retaining Lithuanian citizenship.

In 2023, over 2,400 people applied for Lithuanian citizenship, underscoring the significance of these legislative changes. A recent high-profile case involved a former Russian ballerina, Ilzė Liepa, who was stripped of her Lithuanian citizenship after publicly supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“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,” Liepa said in response to the decision.

In addition to Liepa, Lithuanian citizenship was revoked for Russian-born ice dancer Margarita Drobiazko and her husband, Povilas Vanagas, further demonstrating the country’s firm stance on the issue.

These amendments reflect Lithuania’s increasing vigilance in managing citizenship amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing concerns over national security. 

By fLEXI tEAM