RIGA - The penalties for smugglers of illegal migrants, which were increased several years ago, are having an effect, but the possibility of proposing even harsher sanctions has not been ruled out, officials told LETA.
In an interview with LETA, Prosecutor General Armins Meisters noted that, in his opinion, the sanctions are working and that the Prosecutor’s Office’s consistent position is that, for these criminal offenses, prosecutors seek in court nothing but imprisonment and nothing less severe.
At the same time, it will never be possible to combat everything, but by uncovering a sufficient number of these cases, individuals are detained, arrested, and sentenced to imprisonment.
At the same time, Meisters acknowledged that this is a sufficiently lucrative business and that criminal punishment does not deter offenders. Sometimes people may find themselves in the role of hostages because they have certain obligations.
Minister of Justice Edvards Smiltens (United List) stated in an interview with LETA that he and his colleagues in the Saeima had previously submitted amendments to the Criminal Code because the penalties for involvement in the "Lukashenko project" and the smuggling of illegal migrants were very lenient, even though large sums of money were being made from this activity.
After the penalties were significantly increased to include not only fines but also actual prison sentences, a review of the results showed that court rulings were not imposing prison sentences. There were 40-50 cases that had ended with very lenient sentences.
The minister emphasized that the judiciary is independent and that he cannot dictate how the judiciary should act; however, results can be achieved through understanding and agreement. On the specific issue of migrant smuggling, a common understanding was reached, and the judiciary began to view these specific cases through the lens of national security.
At the same time, Smiltens acknowledged that a decision has now been made to request an updated report on how sanctions are applied in practice to individuals involved in organizing illegal border crossings and migrant smuggling. "If necessary, we will amend the law and impose even harsher sanctions," Smiltens emphasized.
At the same time, the minister acknowledged that statistics on crimes committed by offenders are rising not only due to migration pressure but also because the work of the National Guard has become more effective.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Janis Dombrava (National Alliance) acknowledged in an interview with LETA that the increased penalties introduced several couple of years ago are working to some extent, as our own residents are now almost never involved in human trafficking schemes. They obviously understand what this means and what the consequences might be. Mostly, it is residents of other countries, the minister added.
As reported, so far this year, the State Border Guard has already initiated 94 criminal proceedings against 80 migrant smugglers.
The Criminal Code provides for imprisonment of two to ten years for the unlawful transportation of persons across the state border, if committed during a period when an enhanced border security system is in effect.
A total of 8,253 people have been prevented from illegally crossing the border this year.
The government has extended the reinforced surveillance regime along Latvia's border with Belarus until the end of 2026. The reinforced border security regime is in force in Ludza and the counties of Ludza municipality, Kraslava and the counties of Kraslava municipality, Augsdaugava municipality, Daugavpils, and Kaunata county in Rezekne municipality.
In 2025, 12,046 people were prevented from crossing the Belarusian-Latvian border illegally, while 31 were admitted on humanitarian grounds. In 2024, border guards stopped 5,388 migrants from entering Latvia and allowed 26 people to cross the border on humanitarian grounds.
Latvian authorities consider attempts by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko's regime to push migrants across Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish borders to be methods of hybrid warfare targeting these countries.
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