The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, is discussing proposed amendments that would stop recognising Russian education certificates obtained after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, LSM reports. Under the amendments proposed by the opposition National Alliance, education certificates issued in Russia after 24 February 2022 would no longer be recognised in Latvia. National Alliance MPs…
Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) has asked the Prosecution Office to charge a non-citizen Latvian resident for planning terrorist attacks in Latvia, LSM reports. VDD’s investigation established that the person supports the ideology of the Islamic State terrorist group. The suspect was arrested in May 2024 after explosives, ammunition, and sulfuric acid were found at…
Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) has conducted searches at two locations related to former MEP Tatjana Zdanoka (Tatyana Zhdanok) of the Latvian Russian Union (LKS), LETA reports. VDD confiscated data carriers, notes, and documents for further analysis. VDD confirmed that the searches were part of a criminal investigation into Zdanoka’s possible cooperation with Russian intelligence…
The Latvian government has confirmed Normunds Mezviets as director general of the State Security Service (VDD) for a third consecutive five-year term, the Ministry of Interior announced, LSM reports. Announcing the nomination, Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis said that living under conditions of hybrid warfare requires professional and patriotic leadership that takes care of national security,…
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has approved the seizure of the so-called Moscow House in central Riga, LSM reports. The state is likely to auction the property. The building used to serve as a Russian cultural centre owned by the Moscow city government. Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) reported that the building was used to…
Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) has detained a Russian citizen on suspicion of espionage, LSM reported. VDD searched five premises in and around Riga and confiscated a large volume of media and documents. VDD found that the person had collected and transferred information regarding critical infrastructure and military objects in Latvia for Russian intelligence. In…
Latvia’s state-owned Eiropas Dzelzcela Linijas (EDZL) has awarded a contract to build the Rail Baltica railway in Latvia to the European joint venture, ERB Rail Baltica, for EUR 3.7mn, LSM reports. ERB Rail Baltica was established by France’s Eiffage Génie Civil, Italy’s Rizzani de Eccher, and Poland’s Budimex. EDZL’s procurement commission excluded Türkiye’s IC Ictas…
Latvia’s Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) has denied residency to around 80 Russian citizens following an assessment by the State Security Service (VDD), LSM reports. PMLP has referred over 13,000 residence permit applications to VDD for review. VDD has so far completed its assessment on around 7,000 of the applicants. Under amendments to…
Latvia’s state real estate management company, Valsts Nekustamie Ipasumi (VNI), has taken over a project to build a fence on the country’s border with Russia from the State Security Service (VDD), LSM reports. VNI board chairman Renars Griskevics said that construction work would resume at the end of 2023. However, the final deadline for the…