Event 1055

{
  "attack_type": "Defense Prep",
  "category": "Uncategorized",
  "confidence": "High",
  "country": "Latvia",
  "description": "On June 19, 2025, Latvia's Saeima adopted a law prohibiting Russia, Belarus, and their citizens from acquiring real estate in Latvia. The law extends to legal entities registered in these countries or those with significant ownership ties to Russia or Belarus. This move aligns with Latvia's stance against Russia's military aggression in Ukraine and its use of hybrid warfare, aiming to protect national security by limiting non-military influence and property acquisition by Russian and Belarusian actors.",
  "event_time_utc": "2025-06-19T00:00:00Z",
  "evidence": [
    "On Thursday, 19 June, the Saeima adopted in its final reading a new law prohibiting Russia and Belarus, as well as their citizens, from acquiring real estate in Latvia.",
    "It is also planned to extend this to legal entities in which citizens of these countries own at least 25% of the share capital and in which Russian or Belarusian citizens are the beneficial owners, as well as to legal entities established in Russia or Belarus.",
    "Latvia is among states opposing Russia's aggression against Ukraine and combats indirect acquisition of real estate as a form of hybrid warfare.",
    "Russia has used the presence of its citizens abroad to justify military actions by claiming protection of its citizens.",
    "The Saeima emphasized that the war launched by Russia requires special attention to protect Latvia's national security and consider new security measures."
  ],
  "extra": {
    "extra": {
      "extra": {
        "category_raw": "Economy",
        "evidence": [
          "On Thursday, 19 June, the Saeima adopted in its final reading a new law prohibiting Russia and Belarus, as well as their citizens, from acquiring real estate in Latvia.",
          "It is also planned to extend this to legal entities in which citizens of these countries own at least 25% of the share capital and in which Russian or Belarusian citizens are the beneficial owners, as well as to legal entities established in Russia or Belarus.",
          "Latvia is among states opposing Russia's aggression against Ukraine and combats indirect acquisition of real estate as a form of hybrid warfare.",
          "Russia has used the presence of its citizens abroad to justify military actions by claiming protection of its citizens.",
          "The Saeima emphasized that the war launched by Russia requires special attention to protect Latvia's national security and consider new security measures."
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "location_text": "Latvia",
  "media_assets": [
    {
      "description": "Screenshot capture",
      "type": "screenshot",
      "url": "/media/event_1055_1764374886_ab8deadc.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "notes": "The ban reflects Latvia's strategic intent to prevent economic and political influence from Russia and Belarus through property acquisition, a common hybrid warfare tool. Monitoring the law's implementation and its effects on foreign investment and bilateral relations will be important. Watch for any Russia or Belarus responses and subsequent legislative or security measures in Latvia or neighboring states.",
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "screenshot_count": 1.0,
  "summary_extended": "On June 19, 2025, the Latvian parliament approved a law forbidding Russian and Belarusian citizens, as well as entities linked to them by ownership or origin, from purchasing real estate in Latvia. This law aims to thwart Russia's use of hybrid warfare tactics, including indirect acquisition of assets abroad to exert influence. The measure is part of Latvia's broader effort to counteract the ongoing Russian military aggression against Ukraine and safeguard its own national security amid concerns of non-military interference. The law reflects recognition that Russia has frequently cited the protection of its citizens abroad to justify military actions, prompting Latvia to tighten controls on property ownership linked to Russia and Belarus. This legislative step follows a series of other security-related responses by Latvia to the regional security environment.",
  "summary_short": "Latvia bans Russians and Belarusians, and their entities, from buying real estate to counter hybrid warfare and protect national security.",
  "url": "https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/20.06.2025-russians-belarusians-banned-from-buying-real-estate-in-latvia.a604027/",
  "where": "Land"
}

{
  "source": "admin_quick",
  "tags": [],
  "url": "https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/20.06.2025-russians-belarusians-banned-from-buying-real-estate-in-latvia.a604027/"
}