On Thursday, the Rīga City Court imposed a security measure of detention on Viktors Guščins, an activist of the Russian compatriots’ movement who was detained by the State Security Service (VDD) on Wednesday, Latvian Television reported.
The VDD accuses Guščins of violating European Union (EU) sanctions. The service has found that, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Guščins cooperated with a Russian propaganda resource subject to EU sanctions by providing it with publications. These publications contained messages glorifying Russia and discrediting Latvia, including the presentation of the occupation of Latvia and other events of World War II in accordance with Russian interests. Access to this resource in Latvia has been blocked based on the VDD’s recommendation.
The Criminal Law provides that the maximum penalty for violating EU sanctions is five years’ imprisonment.
The State Security Service (VDD) conducted searches at two locations in Jelgava on Wednesday and detained one person. According to unofficial information available to Latvian Television (LTV), the detainee is pro-Kremlin activist Viktors Guščins, who has long been positioned among Russian officials as the leader of the movement supporting Russia’s so-called “compatriot policy” in Latvia, has been the head of the coordination council of Russian compatriot organisations, and has regularly attended compatriot events in Russia. The VDD has not disclosed the name of the detained person.
Guščins ran for election to the 12th and 13th Saeima from the Latvian Russian Union list, but was never elected. He has worked as a lecturer and published books on history and various publications with messages favourable to the Kremlin and discrediting Latvia.
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