Managers of Belarusian state owned sanatorium Belorusija and Russian state owned sanatorium Jantarnij bereg in Jurmala have been blacklisted by Latvian authorities.
Latvian State Security Service (VDD) confirms that Russian citizen Viktor Danilohs and Belarusian citizen Aleksandr Gruzdov have been in focus of the service for a long time for activities that may serve Russian state interests and may create risks for Latvia’s national security.
Considering previously identified risks and Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, in March 2022 VDD asked then the Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva to blacklist the aforementioned persons and ban them from entering Latvia.
Additionally, VDD reports that according to information available to the service, for a long time Jantarnij bereg operated not just as a medical institution but a support point for Russia’s influence aimed at composing a positive image for the country, lobbying Russia’s economic interests, reporting of interpretations of history and promoting Russian ‘nationals’ policy in Latvia.
Gruzdov’s activities in particular indicated sympathy for the ruling regimes in Belarus and Russia. The interior of Belorusija sanatorium was previously used for the purposes of different events tied to Russian humanitarian influence and promotion of Kremlin’s propaganda.
On top of that, VDD reminds that both sanatoriums are under sanctions imposed by the European Union.
This means no provision of financial or economic assistance to them is allowed.
Belorusija sanatorium is owned by the person authorized by the President of Belarus. This means Aleksandr Lukashenko is the actual manager of the institution. Belorusija sanatorium is registered as a foundation. Aside from Gruzdov, among its officials are also Belarusian citizens Margarita Levchenko and Helena Lebedeva.
Sanatorium Jantarnij bereg is a branch of the Russian President’s Office’s Recovery Complex BOR. Viktor Danilohs is the sole official.
Belorusija sanatorium, which is under western sanctions, has since announced complete closure on its website. According to the announcement, the sanatorium no longer registers new clients.
Jantarnij bereg sanatorium is currently closed for reconstruction. The website has an announcement posted that no new clients are registered due to ongoing repair work.