Poland’s border guard said it detained eight Afghan citizens over the weekend during a series of operations along its frontier with Lithuania, as part of a broader effort to curb unauthorized migration into the country.
In a statement, the agency said a total of 37 migrants were identified and stopped in multiple incidents across the border region. All were accused of attempting to enter Poland without the required legal documentation.
The largest group, consisting of 24 migrants, was intercepted while being transported in a truck driven by a Ukrainian national through a temporary border crossing, according to the statement. Authorities said the individuals lacked valid entry permits and were prevented from proceeding further.
Additional operations in nearby areas led to the detention of smaller groups of migrants, including citizens of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Algeria. Eight Afghans were identified among those detained, the agency said.
Border guards said some of the migrants had crossed into Poland on foot from Lithuania and were later apprehended in border areas.
All of those detained were returned to Lithuanian authorities after initial processing, the statement said.
Polish officials added that drivers and others suspected of facilitating the transport of migrants had also been arrested and could face charges related to organizing and enabling illegal border crossings. If convicted, they could face prison sentences of up to eight years.
Under Polish law, individuals detained for attempting unauthorized entry are typically transferred to detention centers or held in custody while their cases are reviewed in court. Convictions can carry a minimum sentence of six months in prison.
Following the completion of legal proceedings and any custodial sentences, migrants are often deported to their countries of origin, including Afghanistan.
The arrests come as Poland and other European Union countries continue to tighten border controls amid ongoing migration pressures along eastern routes, particularly those passing through Belarus and neighboring states.
