VILNIUS, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Lithuanian government approved on Wednesday tighter regulation on drone operation amid what authorities described as increasing "spying and security threats" to the country's national defense.
The amendments, which are now subject to approval at the country's parliament, would ban taking pictures, filming and operating drones over the country's "military territories" without permission of the defense ministry.
Those violating the law could be fined up to 500 euros (616 U.S. dollars) or face their drone being taken down by the military.
"The amendments would allow using military force against drones, if a flight violates legal requirements," said the Lithuanian defense ministry in a statement.
The amendments were proposed by the country's defense ministry which cites "increasing spying and security threats."
According to the ministry, the number of cases when military objects are being observed, shot and filmed has increased considerably since 2014.
"Also, there are more drone flights over military territories and Lithuanian army's military exercise sites, and this number has been growing systemically," said the ministry citing the country's counter intelligence latest national threats report.
Lithuania, a small Baltic country with population of less than 3 million and NATO's Eastern-flank country, said it had been under increased security threats amid tensions in the Eastern Europe since 2014. Enditem
