Several dozen war refugees have signed up to testify in the criminal procedure commenced by Latvian State Security Service (VDD) in regards to the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.
Investigators have started interviewing witnesses to gain information and evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity and peace committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, as confirmed by the service.
In the interests of the investigation, VDD does not provide detailed comments on this matter.
VDD invites war refugees from Ukraine who were witnesses to the attacks of Russian armed forces on civilians or civil objects to come and testify.
VDD especially invites people who have photo, audio or video evidence. Latvian citizens who have suffered from crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine are also invited to testify.
Witnesses of Russian war crimes are invited to contact VDD by writing to the e-mail Ukraina@vdd.gov.lv or by calling 67208964 with contact details. Refugees can sign up to give testimony by asking Latvian State Border Guard officials at any refugee support centre.
On 15 March VDD commenced a criminal procedure on war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia in Ukraine.
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As part of the criminal procedure, investigators are gathering evidence of crimes against humanity, including murder of civilians, extermination, torture, as well as other crimes against peace, such as planning aggression, preparation, execution, participation in aggression, waging an aggressive war, and war crimes committed by Russian forces.
Latvia’s President Egils Levits previously told journalists that Latvian office of the prosecutor intends to hand to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague all testimonies collected from Ukrainian refugees about Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Representative of the office of the prosecutor Aiga Eiduka previously explained that prosecutors will not listen to testimonies themselves, but compilation of testimonies will happen in cooperation with VDD.
The court based in the Hague has commenced an investigation based on suspicions of war crime detailed in the collective lawsuit against Russia submitted by dozens of countries.
ICC prosecutor Karim Karim Khan has invited anyone with information about the situation in Ukraine to testify.
Multiple European countries, including Lithuania, have commenced investigations of Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine.
On 24 February Russian President Vladimir Putin issued the order for Russian armed forces to invade Ukraine.
Several dozen refugees sign up with VDD to testify about Russian crimes in Ukraine
