Border guards detained two Russian nationals attempting to illegally enter the country on May 4. The Moscow residents, aged 37 and 22, reportedly did not try to hide their membership in Russia's National Bolshevik organization. They were found to be carrying Latvian and Estonian currency as well as maps of the border area, a gas pistol, and National Bolshevik publications and badges. Russian authorities have been informed about the incident and have been asked to cooperate in the investigation.
In the latest development of the ongoing "Jurmalagate" scandals, the lawyer of businessman Germans Miluss filed an appeal on May 7 to the five-year jail term handed down by the Zemgale Regional Court in late March. Miluss is currently the subject of an international manhunt. Miluss' lawyer said that he does not know the location of his client but that they had agreed beforehand to contest the court's decision in the case of a conviction. The defendant is accused of high level bribery in relation to the 2005 Jurmala mayoral elections.
On May 3, Parliament passed the final reading of amendments to the presidential election law. The law provides a detailed procedure for holding presidential elections which covers requirements for candidates and regulations for carrying out extraordinary elections. It stipulates the final dates for the naming of candidates and for concluding the elections. The bill also includes a hotly debated clause stating that any candidate for the position must have a "perfect reputation."
