Event 59853de2-55da-4f20-b51c-c9a88d0102dd

Approved event from Hybrid War Tracker

Status: Approved Confidence: High Classification: Intelligence & Espionage > Human Intelligence (HUMINT) > Recruitment of locals Country: Latvia Where: Land Node: Node 3: Political Disruptions Node: Node 2: 5th Column Tag: Latvia Tag: Russia Tag: Espionage Tag: 5th Column Tag: spying Tag: KGB Tag: Ādamsons Tag: Saeima Tag: corruption Tag: FSB Tag: Latvia and Russia Aggressor Confidence: High

Source: https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/16.01.2026-disgrace ...

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Event Time

➕

Created

✏️

Updated

Summary

Headline: Disgraced Saeima deputy sentenced again to 8 years for spying for Russia

Short Summary: Former Latvian Saeima deputy Jānis Ādamsons sentenced again to 8 years for spying for Russia on January 16, 2026.

Extended Summary: The Regional Court upheld and re-sentenced former Saeima deputy Jānis Ādamsons to eight years of imprisonment on January 16, 2026, for spying for Russia, petty fraud, and illegal possession of firearms. Ādamsons was previously sentenced in late 2023 to eight years and six months in prison for espionage, treason, and transmission of state secrets to the Russian KGB/FSB. Evidence revealed that from at least 2015 Ādamsons met with his Russian handler Silonov over 100 times to pass classified and publicly available information, including NATO data, potentially useful to Russian operatives recruiting Latvian officials. Ādamsons was a high-profile figure and former Interior Minister who also held leadership positions within the Saeima for the Harmony party. The court dismissed Ādamsons’ claims denying wrongdoing and contested allegations of his financial compensation for treason.

Description

On January 16, 2026, the Regional Court in Riga sentenced former Saeima deputy Jānis Ādamsons to eight years imprisonment for spying for Russia, petty fraud, and possession of firearms and ammunition without a permit. This sentence follows a previous conviction that included an eight-year sentence plus six months for espionage and treason, handed down by the Riga City Court in November 2023. Ādamsons systematically collected and passed classified information to the Russian Federal Security Service through his handler Silonov since at least 2015. Despite Ādamsons denying passing information, prosecutors produced evidence including over 100 meetings and financial transactions. Ādamsons was a seasoned politician and former Interior Minister, making him one of the most prominent people convicted of spying in Latvia.

Event Classification

Aggressor Event

Rationale

Classified as aggressor because the event describes explicit hostile espionage activity by a former Latvian official spying for Russia, systematically passing classified information to the Russian FSB. No defensive or preparatory alliance measures are described in this context.

Evidence

Quotes

"The Regional Court has sentenced former Saeima deputy Jānis Ādamsons on appeal to eight years and two months in prison for espionage – a slight reduction on the sentence he was handed a couple of years ago."

"In November 2023, the Riga City Court found Ādamsons guilty of spying for Russia, petty fraud, and the possession of firearms and ammunition without a permit."

"Ādamsons systematically and purposefully collected and, through his handler Silonov, transferred undisclosed information and other information to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB)."

"During the investigation, evidence was obtained that Ādamsons had been meeting with Silonov at least since 2015. Law enforcement officers have recorded more than 100 meetings between the pair."

"Prosecutor Juris Ločiņš cited as an example compromising information Ādamsons provided about the State Security Service and other law enforcement agencies, which could be useful to Russia, including in recruiting Latvian officials."

"Adamsons claimed he himself gave Silonov small amounts of money to be transferred to his daughter's account in Russia. The court disagreed."

Source

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/16.01.2026-disgraced-saeima-deputy-sentenced-again-to-8-years-for-spying-for-russia.a630272/