Latvian security institutions are looking into options to annul Russian billionaire Petr Aven’s Latvian citizenship, as confirmed by Ministry of the Interior. The investigation started some time ago. A full report is expected soon.
In April 2022 Latvia’s Saeima passed amendments to the Citizenship Law. Amendments cover measures to be taken in case persons could have their Latvian citizenship revoked for committing actions that undermine or put at risk democratic countries’ territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
Last year then the Minister of Justice Jānis Bordāns invited then the Minister of the Interior Kristaps Eklons to annul Aven’s citizenship for his support of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Citizenship can be annulled if it does not result in the person becoming stateless.
This means this measure can be used on people with dual citizenship. Information about persons who have potentially committed crimes listed in the law that make them liable to lose their Latvian citizenship is composed by state security institutions.
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) previously mentioned that relevant investigation of persons can be performed and information compiled by state security institutions, not the state administration. This topic became hot shortly after the 24th of February, when Russia commenced its invasion of Ukraine.
The billionaire’s grandfather was a Latvian Rifleman that stayed to live in Russia after the civil war there. In 2016 Aven received Latvian citizenship. In 2012 he was awarded the Order of the Three Stars. Following the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, it was decided to revoke this award. Soon after the start of the invasion the Senate of the University of Latvia decided to annul Aven’s Honorary Doctorate degree.
Also read: Latvian National Alliance politician may have close ties with «sanctioned oligarch» Petr Aven