Latvian charged over petition to join Russia
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 April 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Latvian charged over petition to join Russia, 23 April 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba2e4b.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 23, 2015
Prosecutors have charged a Latvian man with calling for the "liquidation" of the Baltic nation's independence over an Internet petition to make it part of Russia.
Latvian Prosecutor-General's Office spokeswoman Aiga Eiduka told reporters on April 23 that the suspect, whose name was not released, could face community service or a fine if found guilty.
However, by law calls for the "liquidation" of Latvian independence are punishable by up to three years in jail.
The man is suspected of posting a petition on the possibility of Latvia joining Russia on a website in March 2014, after Russia annexed of Crimea from Ukraine.
The Russian takeover of the Black Sea peninsula is widely considered illegal and, along with Russian support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, has made many in the Baltics and other neighboring nations nervous about Moscow's intentions.
More than a quarter of the nearly 2 million people in Latvia are ethnic Russians.
Based on reporting by lsm.lv and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
