Latvian citizen detained on suspicion of spying on military facilities for Russia

RIGA - On August 27, the State Security Service (VDD) detained a Latvian citizen on suspicion of purposefully collecting illegal information on Latvian military objects and passing this information to the Russian intelligence service, LETA was informed by the VDD.

The VDD investigation has obtained information that a Latvian citizen has passed on information on the locations, layout and security solutions of several Latvian military facilities to the Russian intelligence services.

The detainee also provided Russian intelligence with information on the construction of new military facilities, training of soldiers and the presence of soldiers from other NATO countries at specific Latvian military facilities. According to the information available to the VDD, the man has also passed on other information to Russian intelligence that could be used against the security interests of Latvia and other Baltic States.

The VDD has carried out criminal proceedings at four sites in and around Riga linked to the person. The Service is currently conducting an in-depth examination of the contents of the data storage devices and documents seized during the searches.

The suspect has been remanded in custody as a security measure.

The Criminal Code provides for imprisonment for a term of between one and ten years, with or without confiscation of property, and probation supervision for a term of up to three years for such an offense.

At the end of August, the VDD told LETA that the service had opened three criminal proceedings on espionage in the interests of Russia, while one criminal case was dismissed this year due to the lack of evidence, the service said on Thursday.

In the interests of the investigations, the service is not commenting further on the criminal proceedings at this time.

The most high-profile espionage case in recent years involves former MP Janis Adamsons. The first instance sentenced the former MP to eight years and six months in prison for spying for Russia. The case is currently before the Court of Appeal.