According to Radio Free Europe, at least 125 Belarusian nationals have been detained this year after returning to the nation from outside, with phone checks conducted before they were taken into custody.

The bulk of them are dealing with administrative charges, and the charges against them center on the distribution of extremist materials. Citizens of Belarus are routinely held at the border, especially when they come from Lithuania. All border crossings in Belarus, including those with Russia, are subject to border checks and detentions, however.

Belarusian authorities enacted restrictions in September of this year that prohibit people from swapping or extending the validity of their passports at foreign embassies and consulates. As of right present, only transactions within Belarus are possible. In addition, people have to travel back to their native country for tasks requiring cars or real estate.

Human rights activists in Belarus claim that these actions are intended to target anyone who disagree with the Lukashenko regime and force those who flee the nation to return under danger of facing criminal penalties.

Authorities in Lithuania had earlier declared that “foreigner passports” would be issued to Belarusians living there, particularly to those who had experienced persecution in Belarus and are unable to return for fresh documentation. There are now about 1,000 people in Lithuania that fit this description.

Authorities in Belarus announced in November of this year that anyone wishing to live abroad permanently must get special clearance from the migration office where they now reside.

In response, Lithuanian officials said in September that emigrant Belarusians living in Vilnius who aren’t able to get new passports from Belarus can apply for Lithuanian travel documents. These passports are designed to make it easier for Belarusians who are lawfully residing in Lithuania without the necessary paperwork to enter and exit Vilnius.

The head of the Migration Department, Evelina Gudzinskaite, expects a spike in requests for “foreigners’ passports” as a result of Minsk’s strict regulations.