4 Lithuanian border guards targeted by foreign intelligence agencies

Foreign agencies have made four attempts to recruit Lithuanian border guards in the first half of the year, announced Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (LSBGS) on Friday.

That figure compares to six cases for the whole 2014, according to the authority's data. LSBGS officials declined to reveal which countries attempted to recruit Lithuanian officials.

"We know these countries. In general, not mentioning any of them, we can say that these are the neighboring countries," Darius Skarnulis, the head of the immunity department at the LSBGS, told Lithuanian national radio LRT.

The service indicates that "recent intensifying activity of foreign intelligence and security agencies' towards border guards" has led to changes in legislation stipulating foreign visits of Lithuanian border guards.

Lithuanian state border guards receive consultations before travelling abroad. LSBGS also checks persons applying to serve for the state border guard service.

"LSBGS quickly responds to the current geopolitical situation as well," said the service in a press release.

Recently, Lithuanian state security authorities warned on intensifying attempts to recruit Lithuanian citizens.

In May Lithuanian security authorities reported about the fourth case of spying activity in a year.