Iļja Podkolzins, board member of Latvian party 'Kopā Latvijai,' detained for allegedly providing intelligence to Russian services linked to 'Baltijas antifašisti'.

Iļja Podkolzins, a board member of the Latvian political party 'Kopā Latvijai,' has been detained and later remanded in custody on suspicion of passing information to Russian intelligence services connected with the group 'Baltijas antifašisti' (Baltic Antifascists). Podkolzins is one of several individuals under investigation by the Latvian State Security Service (VDD) related to this group's activities. The 'Baltijas antifašisti' reportedly collected and provided Russian intelligence with information on military objects, cargo, and pro-Ukraine persons and companies. The Telegram channel associated with the group is managed by Sergejs Vasiļjevs, who fled Latvia and relays the information to Russian-aligned operatives. Disclosed correspondence leaks suggest Podkolzins maintained contact with Vasiļjevs and traveled multiple times to Moscow in 2023 and 2024. Using the alias 'Vadim Sedov,' Podkolzins allegedly sent information about objects in the Riga Airport area including warehouses and cargo. The airport authorities declined to comment on the accuracy or potential damage from this information transfer. Aleksandrs Bartaševičs, party leader and former mayor of Rēzekne, stated no knowledge of the detention details and expressed disbelief at the accusations, noting Podkolzins was a qualified aircraft captain who worked as a pilot. Public records indicate Podkolzins previously served as a Daugavpils city council deputy, headed the Latvian Investment and Development Agency's representation in Russia, worked as an economic attaché at the Latvian embassy, and has aviation industry experience. Six persons in Latvia are suspects connected to the Baltic Antifascists, with two cases proceeding to court and several suspects having fled to Russia.