The Rīgas pilsētas tiesa on Wednesday approved an agreement between the prosecutor and a Latvian citizen who was detained last summer on suspicion of espionage. Under the plea agreement, the defendant was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment with two years of probation supervision, the court informed.
Taking into account the time already spent in pre-trial detention, which is credited toward the prison sentence, the defendant will still have to serve five years and six months in prison.
The man was a manager in the construction sector, and his professional duties facilitated access to information regarding the construction of new military facilities.
The Valsts drošības dienests (State Security Service, VDD) detained the man on August 27, 2025. During its investigation, the VDD documented multiple instances in which the accused collected intelligence on behalf of Russia’s military intelligence service, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).
Pre-trial proceedings established that the individual provided Russian intelligence with information about the locations, layouts, and security measures of various Latvian military facilities. These included weapons storage sites.
The individual also supplied information about the construction of new military facilities, military training activities, and the presence of soldiers from other NATO countries at specific Latvian military sites. He transmitted additional information that could be used against the security interests of Latvia and other Baltic states. The intelligence activities were coordinated and information was sent via the online messaging application Telegram.
The Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that the accused, motivated by ideological reasons, voluntarily initiated cooperation with the GRU and provided the requested information.
The prosecutor stated that the purpose of the sentence is not only to punish the offender but also to restore justice, protect public safety, resocialize the offender, and deter others from committing criminal offenses.
After assessing the severity, nature, and harmfulness of the criminal offense, the personality of the accused, and the fact that the accused fully admitted guilt and exercised his right under the Criminal Procedure Law to cooperate—by opting for a simplified procedure—the prosecutor concluded a plea agreement with the defendant regarding guilt and punishment.
The prosecutor considers the imposed prison sentence, which exceeds half of the maximum ten-year term of imprisonment предусмотрен for the offense, to be proportionate and appropriate, capable of protecting public safety and national security interests. It not only punishes the defendant and ensures that he is unable to continue collecting and transmitting information to the Russian Federation’s intelligence services, but also serves to deter others from committing similar crimes.
The Prosecutor’s Office notes that no person is considered guilty until their guilt in committing a criminal offense has been established in accordance with the procedures set out in the Criminal Procedure Law.
As previously reported, the most high-profile espionage case in recent years involves former Saeima member Jānis Ādamsons. In the first instance, the former parliamentarian was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison for espionage on behalf of Russia.
Last week, the Rīgas apgabaltiesa found Ādamsons guilty of espionage for Russia and sentenced him to eight years and two months’ imprisonment, along with two years of probation supervision.
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