Security Service warns Latvia's Russian Union against justification of Russia's aggression

RIGA - Activities of Latvia's Russian Union (LKS) are aimed at justifying Russia's foreign policy and violations of international law, as well as spreading Kremlin propaganda, the State Security Service has concluded, telling the party to refrain from such unlawful activities or face legal consequences, LETA was told at the State Security Service.

Analyzing developments in Latvia's information environment, the State Security Service has noticed a number of LKS activities that are contravening democratic values and Latvia's national security interests. 

The State Security Service's assessment is that the party's activities are aimed at justifying Russia's foreign policy and violations of international law, as well as spreading Russian propaganda. 

The State Security Service would not elaborate on its conclusions about LKS activities. 

Miroslavs Mitrofanovs, one of LKS leaders and a member of Riga City Council, told LETA that the party received a warning from the State Security Service a month ago. Mitrofanovs said he saw no indications that LKS had breached any laws and that the Security Service had made no mention of any violations either. 

"In their warning, the State Security Service said LKS must not support aggression. They also pointed at European Parliament member Tatjana Zdanok's vote in the European Parliament against a resolution on Russia's aggression in Ukraine. We all understand that this is not a violation of law but a political vote which is each MEP's choice," the LKS co-chairman said.

Mitrofanovs said the LKS leadership has asked party members to refrain from discussing the war in Ukraine on social networks. He added that the situation has stabilized and that most LKS members comply with the request.