On 4 February 2020 Latvian State Security Service (VDD) carried out court-authorized procedural activities in several objects in Riga and its vicinity on the grounds of suspicion of violation of international sanctions. In cooperation with Estonian partner service KAPO the procedural activities were carried out also in Estonia.
The aforementioned procedural activities were carried out within the framework of criminal investigation initiated by VDD on December 19th, 2019 for violation of sanctions imposed by the European Union if it has been committed by a group of persons according to a prior agreement (stipulated in Section 84 Paragraph 3 of the Criminal Law of Latvia).
The court-authorized searches in Riga and in its outskirts as well as in Tallinn have been carried out in the places related to the suspected persons. During these procedural activities large amount of documents and data carriers have been obtained. Information that has been gathered during the investigation raises suspicions that a group of persons according to a prior agreement have secured funds and economic resources to a person who has been subjected to sanctions imposed by the European Union for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
At the moment two persons have been recognized as suspects and compulsory measures not related to deprivation of liberty have been applied to them. Several more persons have obtained the procedural status – person against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated.
Currently VDD refrains from further comments. VDD reminds that no person can be considered guilty until the guilt is proven in accordance to the law.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo, VDD
