Latvian Citizen Detained on Espionage Charges for Alleged Cooperation with Russia

Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) announced on Wednesday that they have detained a citizen suspected of espionage for Russia.

The authorities in this Baltic nation alleged that the Latvian individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, provided his Russian contacts with sensitive information regarding the locations and security protocols of Latvian and NATO forces.

«The information available to the VDD indicates that the suspect has also transmitted additional details to the Russian intelligence and security services that could compromise Latvia’s national security and that of other Baltic states,» the VDD stated in an announcement.

A criminal investigation has been initiated, with reports indicating that the individual has been in custody since the end of August.

Relations between Russia and Latvia, along with other neighboring Baltic nations, have become increasingly strained following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In recent years, authorities in all three Baltic states have arrested individuals alleged to be acting as spies for Moscow. Last year, an Estonian court sentenced Russian political scientist Vyacheslav Morozov to six years in prison for espionage.

Reporting contributed by AFP.