On 18 July Latvian State Security Service (VDD) requested the office of the prosecutor to commence criminal prosecution of one person for spying in favour of Belarusian intelligence, as reported by VDD.
The aforementioned citizen of Belarus is suspected to committing a crime as detailed in Section 85 of the Criminal Law – espionage. The man was detained by VDD in cooperation with Latvian Military Reconnaissance and Security Service (MIDD) on 15 February 2022.
It was found during the investigation that the person in question was ordered by the Belarusian military reconnaissance to secretly take photos and videos of Latvia’s defence infrastructure, critical energy infrastructure, as well as important civil infrastructure, reports VDD.
According to information from the investigation, the person acquired information about at least 17 objects of national importance.
VDD reports that such information may be useful to Belarus and its ally Russia for a possible armed conflict with NATO and Latvia, as well as potential sabotage or attacks on military targets and important state infrastructure.
According to VDD, the information illegally acquired by this person and then handed over to Belarusian authorities may potentially cause major harm to Latvia’s state functions and defensive capabilities in the event of a military conflict.
According to investigators, the Belarusian citizen was recruited and trained for infiltration in Belarus.
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