Police investigate pro Russia organization in Latvia over Ukraine links

An organization in Latvia is under investigation by security police over concerns that it may be collecting funds for pro Russia rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Latvian security police said the organization had declared its support for pro Russia rebels fighting in eastern Ukraine Latvian Television reports.

However, members of the organization said donations were intended solely for refugees eastern Ukraine.

Valentina Muratova, a volunteer at one of the collection sites told reporters that donations were small and came from pensioners mostly. Goods would be sent to refugees from Eastern Ukraine through Russia.

''People are bringing food items, toiletries, and other items, like, for example, diapers,'' Muratova said.

Muratova denied the collected items were meant for pro Russia rebels in the region.

Latvian Security Police said it was investigating the organization for any links with pro Russia rebels in the region.

''Taking into account the public announcements made by the unregistered organization in support of the aims of the Russian mercenaries in Ukraine, the Security Police is closely following along the organization's activities, as well as whether they are not using an excuse of supposedly supporting civilians in order to actually assist the pro-Russian mercenaries,'' the Security Police points out.

Similar organizations have surfaced in Lithuania and Estonia, local media reports say. 

(Edited by Rayyan Sabet-Parry)