Since the beginning of Russia’s armed forces invasion into Ukraine, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) has initiated 19 criminal proceedings in relation to hate speech, while four proceedings were taken over from the State Police.
Most of the criminal proceedings are connected with aggression against Ukraine and its people.
From these 23 proceedings, eight were initiated pursuant to two Sections of the Criminal Law, i.e., for public glorifying and acquittal of genocide, crimes against humanity and peace and war crimes (Section 741 of Criminal Law) and activities aimed at triggering national hatred or enmity (Section 78 of Criminal Law). Eight proceedings were enacted pursuant to elements constituting the crime stipulated in Section 741 of the Criminal Law, i.e., for possible public glorifying and acquittal of genocide, crimes against humanity and peace and war crimes, whereas seven proceedings were initiated pursuant to elements constituting the crime stipulated in Section 78 of the Criminal Law, i.e., for activities aimed at triggering national hatred or enmity.
In one of the criminal proceedings for activities aimed at triggering national hatred or enmity VDD has concluded the pre-trial investigation and referred the materials of the criminal proceedings to the Prosecutor's Office in order to initiate criminal prosecution against the person. The person came to the attention of VDD after posting a comment on the internet praising and wishing success to Russia in destroying Ukrainians.
Within the other 22 criminal proceedings 15 persons have been recognized as suspects, while 7 others as persons against whom criminal proceedings have been enacted. Two suspects are applied the security measure – arrest.
VDD continues to assess several other cases.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo, VDD
