On 16 April 2025, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) asked the Prosecution Office to initiate criminal prosecution against a person for glorifying Russian armed forces’ crimes against the prisoners of war, as well as for storing explosives.
VDD initiated the criminal case against this person on 14 January 2025 after obtaining information that the person had shared a video, which depicted the execution of a Ukrainian prisoner of war, to several other people. Commentary that justified and glorified the depicted crimes was added to the shared video. The criminal case against the person was initiated pursuant to Section 741 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Law, i.e., on the suspicion of public acquittal and glorification of genocide, crime against humanity, crime against peace or war crimes.
On 5 February 2025, whilst searching a site related to the suspect, VDD found and removed explosives. Taking these findings into account, VDD additionally incriminated the person for the crime stipulated in Section 233 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Law, namely, storage of explosives without the relevant permit.
The suspect has been taken into custody as a security measure.
VDD reiterates 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
Photo by VDD
