On the night of 17 to 18 October, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) in cooperation with Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD) detained an individual suspected of illegally collecting information about Latvian defence sector on behalf of the Russian military intelligence service GRU.
Based on the information provided by the MIDD, the criminal case against this individual was initiated on 14 October of this year pursuant to Section 85 Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Law, i.e. for the illegal collecting of non-disclosable and other information for the purposes of transferring it to a foreign intelligence service on its behalf.
The investigation has revealed that the Latvian citizen obtained and passed on to the Russian military intelligence information about private infrastructure used for aviation in Latvia, the presence of NATO allied forces in the country, and various developments in the defence sector. The suspect also obtained information on the terms of purchasing prepaid mobile phone cards in Latvia, as well as other information, on behalf of the Russian intelligence service.
VDD, in cooperation with the MIDD, conducted criminal proceedings at two sites related to the individual in question in Ventspils on the night of 17 to 18 October. An in-depth analysis of the contents of the data mediums seized during the search is currently being conducted.
The suspect has been taken into custody as a security measure.
VDD is currently continuing the investigation in cooperation with the MIDD and will provide additional information in accordance with the progress of the criminal case.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo, VDD
