On 25 April 2024, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) detained one person for possible public acquittal of Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as activity that in the assessment of VDD is aimed at triggering national and ethnic hatred and enmity in the society.
The criminal case against this person was initiated on 26 March 2024, after VDD discovered several video statements in Russian language published by this person on the video sharing platform TikTok, that contain the constituent elements of criminal offences stipulated in Section 741 and Section 78 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Law. In these video statements published on TikTok, the person expressed support for Russia and its extended military aggression against Ukraine, as well as aggressively and hostilely spoke out against Latvians and other residents of Latvia who support Ukraine.
On 25 April, VDD also carried out criminal proceedings at one site related to the person near Riga. During the criminal proceedings, the Service seized for further investigation several data carriers, the person’s notes, as well as clothing and other items with symbols of Russia and Soviet Union.
The person came to the attention of VDD already in 2023 in connection with aggressive comments on the social networking site Facebook, where the person expressed support for Russia. In August last year, VDD conducted preventive talks with this person, warning that such activities in the Internet environment are close to criminal offenses for which criminal liability is provided.
The suspect has been applied the security measure – arrest.
VDD will provide additional information regarding the investigation process according to the progress of the criminal case.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo by Freepik
