The prosecution office has received a criminal case commenced against pro-Russian activist Vladimirs Lindermans for glorifying Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Without mentioning the name of the person, the prosecution office reported that a pro-Russian activist is accused of justifying and glorifying the Russian aggression in Ukraine, as well as actions aimed at actions aimed at provoking national hatred and dissent among people of different nationalities in Latvian society.
According to the prosecution, in summer 2022 the accused had systematically distributed messages in line with the Kremlin’s interests on freely accessible platform on the internet to an unlimited number of people, voicing support to Russia’s military strength and glorified Russia as a whole.
The accused posted content of that kind over a period of several months. In his posts, Lindermans suggested that Russia was right in invading Ukraine. The accused also posted information online aimed at aimed at causing hatred and dissent among different groups of the population of national origin, namely Latvians, Russians and Ukrainians.
Lindermans’ lawyer Jeļena Kvjatkovska said last year that her client does not admit his guilt.
Before it was submitted to the prosecution office the case was investigated by the State Security Service (VDD). The criminal procedure was commenced on the 7th of June 2022. The court initially put Lindermans under arrest. He was later released on bail for EUR 6 000. VDD presented him with additional restrictions – prohibition to meet with certain persons.
Lindermans was detained by authorities before. In 2018 he was detained in relation to the gathering organised by Latvian Russians Union (LKS) against the gradual transition to education only in Latvian language at general education institutions. A criminal procedure was commenced «to prevent possible illegalities to be committed under the guise of a legitimate goal, as well as due to the fact that information acquired by VDD indicated can only be checked using means and methods listed in the criminal law».
The criminal procedure was later terminated. Because of Linderman’s clear pro-Russian position, he remained closely watched by authorities.
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