On 17 October 2025, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) asked the Prosecution Office to initiate criminal prosecution against four individuals for malign activities against the critical infrastructure and other objects in the territory of Latvia.
The group of persons carried out activities against Latvia’s national security on behalf of a Russian intelligence and security service.
VDD initiated the criminal case on 10 June 2024, identifying the activities of these persons. During the investigation, VDD established that a group of persons was formed after the initiative of a Russian intelligence and security service, consisting of individuals that planned to commit especially serious crimes against the Latvian State. These individuals engaged in the planning, organisation, and execution of malign activities against different objects in the territory of Latvia by committing arson. In spring 2025, VDD detained three individuals involved, whilst the fourth member of the group was already incarcerated for the commission of another crime.
The set of evidence obtained by VDD indicates that, during the autumn of 2023, the suspected individuals planned and conducted an arson attack on a property owned by a private company because it implemented a project related to the field of defence. In the beginning of 2024, the individuals also conducted preparatory work with the goal to set on fire a truck with Ukrainian number plates within the territory of a critical infrastructure facility, namely, the persons surveyed and made video recordings of the surroundings of the facility, as well as the possible entry points within the facility’s territory.
During the investigation, VDD established that the suspected persons had also carried out reconnaissance of other potential targets for harmful activities, including capturing videos and photos of these objects, which was then sent to the organisers of the malign activities in Russia. To prevent potential malign activities against these objects, VDD carried out a wide range of preventive measures.
VDD incriminates two Latvian nationals with assisting Russia in action directed against the security of Latvia committed by a group of persons, as well as intentional damage to property of another1. The third suspect is incriminated with instigation and incitement to conduct malign activities2 that were manifested by finding the perpetrators for the task. The fourth suspect is incriminated with supporting the commission of a crime3 by using the vehicle at their disposal to transport perpetrators to the location of the malign activities, and helping them leave the place of crime.
Three suspected individuals are currently applied the security measures – arrest, whilst one of the suspected individuals is already incarcerated for the commission of another crime.
VDD reminds that no person shall be considered guilty until the guilt of such person has been determined in accordance with the procedures laid down in law.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo, VDD
1 Crimes stipulated in Section 811 Paragraph 2 and Section 185 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Law.
2 Crimes stipulated in Section 20 Paragraph 3 and Section 185 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Law.
3 Crimes stipulated in Section 20 Paragraph 4 and Section 185 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Law.
