Latvian citizen detained for the second time in a year for illegally transporting migrants across the Belarus-Latvia border near Augšdaugava.

A Latvian citizen was detained for the second time within a year in Augšdaugava municipality for illegally transporting migrants who had crossed the Belarus-Latvia border without valid documents. The incident occurred on May 27, 2026, when border guards tried to stop a Nissan vehicle that did not comply and fled. During the chase, the driver forced several passengers to get out and was later stopped. Five Asian-origin individuals without valid travel documents and permissions were found near the vehicle. A criminal case was initiated under Latvian Criminal Law for enabling more than five persons to unlawfully stay in Latvia. Previously, on July 23, 2025, the same man was caught in Bauska municipality for similar offenses involving illegal migrants, evading the police and crashing the vehicle. At the time, he was detained and placed under pretrial detention; at the time of the recent offense, he was out on bail. Administrative proceedings have also been started against him for failure to obey the order to stop.