The Latvian State Security Service (VDD) detained a Latvian citizen on the 27th of August on suspicion of deliberately and illegally collecting information about Latvian military sites and passing it on to the Russian intelligence service, the agency reported.
During its investigation, the VDD obtained information that the Latvian citizen had provided the Russian intelligence service with data about the locations, layouts, and security measures of several Latvian military facilities.
The detainee also allegedly gave the Russian intelligence service information about the construction of new military facilities, training of soldiers, and the presence of troops from other NATO countries at specific Latvian military sites. According to the VDD, the man also passed on other information that could be used against the security interests of Latvia and other Baltic states.
The VDD carried out procedural actions at four sites in Riga and its surroundings connected to the suspect. The service is currently conducting an in-depth examination of data carriers and documents seized during the searches.
The suspect has been placed in pre-trial detention as a security measure.
Under the Latvian Criminal Law, such an offence carries a penalty of one to ten years of imprisonment, with or without confiscation of property, and up to three years of probation supervision.
At the end of August, the VDD told the LETA news agency that it currently has three criminal cases underway regarding spying in Russia’s interests, while one case was closed this year due to a lack of evidence of a criminal offence.
For investigative reasons, the VDD is not providing further comments on these cases at the moment.
The most high-profile espionage case in recent years involves former Saeima MP Jānis Ādamsons, who was sentenced by a lower court to eight years and six months in prison for spying for Russia. The case is currently under appeal.
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