Lithuanian police are set to assume responsibility for the security of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, marking a change in how her protection is organized in Lithuania. A police spokesperson confirmed that the handover will take effect in the coming days, replacing the Dignitary Protection Service, which has provided her security since she arrived in the country after Belarus’s disputed 2020 presidential election.

The shift follows earlier signals from Lithuanian authorities that the level of protection for Tsikhanouskaya and her offices could be reduced. While officials have not disclosed operational details, security specialists have suggested the change may keep fixed protection for her home and workplace while limiting or removing close personal protection, including during travel within Lithuania or abroad. The police have declined to clarify what the new arrangements will look like in practice.

Supporters of the move describe it as a technical adjustment aligned with assessments of the current threat environment and the state’s capacity planning. Critics, however, argue that the decision carries political overtones and risks downgrading Tsikhanouskaya’s standing as one of the most prominent figures of the Belarusian democratic opposition, especially amid claims that her protection has drawn resentment among those who view it as an excessive use of public resources.

The change has also fueled speculation about whether Tsikhanouskaya might relocate, including to Poland, though her representatives have said no final decision had been made and that discussions with Lithuanian authorities were still ongoing. Tsikhanouskaya has publicly emphasized that she does not want to leave Lithuania, underscoring that she is seeking a workable solution that preserves both her safety and her ability to continue political work from Vilnius.