The Lithuanian Defense Ministry has suggested that citizens of Russia and Belarus should not be allowed to join the Rifle Union, a paramilitary organization that forms part of the country’s defense. The proposal is aimed at enhancing national security. The Ministry of Defense has prepared amendments to the legislation to support this proposal. The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union supports this move and has noted that the organization has seen significant growth in recent years, with around 2,000 new members joining in a year and a half. The proposed legislation also aims to expand the functions of the Rifle Union by creating specialized units for various tasks.

The proposal was reported by LRT, Lithuania’s national broadcaster. The list of countries considered to pose a threat to national security, such as Russia and Belarus, must be approved by the government. In January of this year, the Lithuanian government had already prohibited active military personnel from visiting Belarus, China, and Russia due to national security concerns. The proposed amendments to the legislation would also provide additional benefits for Riflemen’s Union members, such as increased salaries and simplified property transfer procedures.

ملخص الأخبار

• The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union is the country’s third line of defense after the regular army and the volunteer national guard.
• The amendments to the legislation will stipulate that members of the Rifle Union cannot have or acquire citizenship of foreign countries deemed a security threat.
• The proposed specialized units within the Rifle Union will cover logistics, cybersecurity, communications, medical care, search and rescue, evacuation, and other tasks.
• The organization currently has over 16,000 members and aims to provide increased salaries, material support, and simplified property transfer procedures for its members.