Latvian State Security Service (VDD) once again recommends Latvian residents to avoid travelling to Russia or Belarus during the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, warning of the high intelligence, recruitment and provocation risks in the territory of these countries.
VDD draws attention that Latvian institutions have limited possibilities to help their nationals who are facing difficulties in Russia or Belarus.
VDD has established that the intelligence and security services of Russia and Belarus aggressively use the opportunity to question and recruit foreigners in their territory, where they have wide discretion. Intelligence and security services of Russia and Belarus within the territory of their respective country will not hesitate to use aggressive and illegal methods to force someone into collaborating.
If travelling to one of these aggressor states cannot be avoided, VDD recommends not taking your mobile phone with you, especially if it contains information related to professional activity or otherwise sensitive information. Data can be extracted from your mobile phone at the border control point, and it can also be infected with spyware. In this case, the safest choice is a mobile phone with a pre-paid SIM card which can be discarded after travel. You should also avoid bringing your computer, USB sticks and other data mediums.
Identification of potential recruitment targets takes place already at the border control points, as the officers of the intelligence and security services present themselves as border guards or use other covers – those of law enforcement institutions or any other institution of Russia or Belarus. Moreover, officers of Russia’s and Belarus’ intelligence and security services can obtain information that is crucial to them even during a simple conversation.
VDD recommends to note the below-stated signs that may indicate contact with an officer from Russia’s or Belarus’ intelligence and security service during the border crossing:
- unusually expanded inspection and questioning;
- the person performing the questioning is wearing civilian clothing instead of the border guard uniform;
- the person asks questions outside the border guard competence, such as the situation in Latvia, attitude towards developments in Ukraine, war refugees that have entered Latvia, Latvia’s support to Ukraine;
- questions of private nature are asked – place of employment, professional duties, financial situation;
- you are presented with charges of committing an offence or crime, thus trying to force you to collaborate in exchange for dropping the charges;
- you are given a phone number to call next time you are in the respective country.
In case of suspicions about a contact with an officer of Russia’s or Belarus’ intelligence and security services, VDD urges to inform the Service about it either over the 24/7 phone +371 67208964 or via e-mail info(abols)vdd.gov.lv. VDD guarantees the confidentiality of the information provider.
Information prepared by VDD
Photo: VDD
