VDD seeks criminal prosecution against a Russian citizen for justifying war crimes and triggering national hatred

Political & Legal SubversionLawfare & Legal PressureWeaponized lawsuits & extradition requests

Aggressor

Summary

Latvian State Security Service seeks criminal prosecution against a Russian citizen with permanent residence for justifying Russia's war crimes and inciting national hatred, with the suspect taken into custody.

The Latvian State Security Service (VDD) on 20 February 2026 asked the Prosecution Office to criminally prosecute a Russian citizen for publicly justifying Russian war crimes in Ukraine and for inciting national and ethnic hatred against Latvians and Ukrainians. The suspect holds a permanent residence permit in Latvia since 30 October 2025. Investigation revealed multiple posts on Telegram and other platforms spreading hate narratives. Previously, on 7 December 2025, VDD conducted criminal searches at two locations in Riga and Ogre, seizing data storage devices for analysis. The suspect was detained as a security measure. VDD reminded that guilt is to be determined in court according to law procedures.

Evidence

"On 20 February 2026, Latvian State Security Service (VDD) asked the Prosecution Office to initiate criminal prosecution against a person for publicly glorifying and justifying war crimes committed by Russia, as well as for triggering national and ethnic hatred and enmity."
"VDD initiated the criminal case against this Russian citizen with a permanent residence permit in Latvia on 30 October 2025 pursuant to Section 74¹ and Section 78 of the Criminal Law."
"During the investigation, VDD found that the suspect had published several posts on 'Telegram' and other platforms justifying Russia's war crimes in Ukraine. The person also disseminated various narratives aimed at triggering hate and enmity against Latvians and Ukrainians."
"On 7 December 2025, VDD conducted criminal proceedings at two sites related to the person in Riga and Ogre, seizing several data mediums for further analysis."
"The suspect has been taken into custody as a security measure."
"VDD reminds that no person shall be considered guilty until the guilt of such person has been determined in accordance with the procedures laid down in law."

Classification

Confidence: High

The event concerns Latvian authorities targeting a Russian resident for public justification of Russian war crimes and incitement of hate, which constitutes hostile aggressor activity (disinformation and incitement) within Latvia. It is an official law enforcement action, clearly representing aggressor-related hybrid tactics under legal pressure node 2. No defense preparations are described.

Source URL

https://vdd.gov.lv/en/news/press-releases/vdd-seeks-criminal-prosecution-against-a-russian-citizen-for-justifying-war-crimes-and-triggering-national-hatred

Open source

Source reliability

Info credibility

Event time

Feb 20, 2026 01:00 UTC

Event time confidence

unknown

Location

Riga and Ogre

Primary actor

Russian citizen

Country

Latvia