Residency permit plan burdens security services

RIGA - Despite the economic benefits, residency permits granted to persons from Russia can increase risks to Latvia’s security, say the Security Police, reports LETA. During a Saeima Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee meeting on Sept. 24, committee members analyzed a report delivered on Sept. 23 from the Interior Ministry on the residency permit process and its results.

Security Police Chief Ints Ulmanis told committee members that the verification process of those applying for residency permits has become a burden to the Security Police, as its capacity, due to budget cuts, is not endless. In 2012, the Security Police carried out background checks on 2,770 persons; in 2013 they checked on 4,196 persons, but so far this year they’ve already had to investigate 3,847 persons.

The results of the initial background checks do not show that these persons are a threat to national security. Over the past two years, only six persons have been denied residency permits by the Security Police. They point out that there were various reasons for denying the permits, including affiliation with organized crime, as well as activities of fraud or corruption.

The Security Police also monitors those who have been granted residency permits.
Overall, there has only been one case in which an individual’s residency permit has been revoked due to his or her activities in Latvia.

It has been concluded that those who apply for residency permits are mostly persons who are well-off financially, who for one reason or another wish to obtain residency permits in Latvia. “Some people like it here, where everything has been put in order and we are in Europe. Others need residency permits to travel within Europe, and basically do not reside here,” Ulmanis added.

“However, from the point of view of the security services, we see that there has been an increase in the number of Russian residents granted residency permits, and this is something that must be seriously considered. Individually, these people are not a risk to Latvia’s security; however, taking into account Russia’s rhetoric, that they are prepared to ‘defend’ their citizens abroad, this circumstance can increase risks to Latvia’s security in the future,” Ulmanis emphasized.