Latvian State Security Service (VDD) has declared 25 Ukrainian refugees as witnesses of Russia’s crimes in Ukraine. Two Ukrainian citizens are declared victims.
On 15 March VDD commenced a criminal procedure over the war crimes and crimes against humanity and peace in Ukraine committed by Russian armed forces. The criminal procedure was commenced in accordance with the Criminal Law.
VDD reports investigators have interviewed 49 people who agreed to testify about the crimes committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine.
Of the aforementioned people 25 are declared as direct eye witnesses to the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russian armed forces.
During the investigation VDD acquired from those witnesses photo and video materials that detail crimes of Russian armed forces. Photos and videos are added to materials of the criminal case as evidence. Interviews of other witnesses continue.
Two Ukrainian citizens are declared as victims in the criminal procedure.
VDD refrains from providing more detailed comments.
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On 24 February President of Russia Vladimir Putin issued the order to commence invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainian citizens fled to Europe and Latvia. Some of them decided to testify for the criminal procedure commenced by VDD in Latvia.
Prosecutor General Juris Stukāns signed an agreement in Hague earlier this year regarding Latvia’s participation in the investigation that focuses on Russia’s crimes in Ukraine.
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