Latvia arrests three in Russia-linked spy network

At least three people linked to the group “Anti-Fascists of the Baltics” have been detained in Latvia over the past two weeks.

The group, which media outlets describe as a network of informants, allegedly provided Russian intelligence services with information about the movement of military equipment, Ukrainians, and supporters of Ukraine in the country for an extended period, Caliber.Az reports via Latvian media.

The arrests were based on documents obtained by Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s Dossier Center and shared with the Nekā personīga program on TV3.

According to the materials, members of the “Anti-Fascists of the Baltics” attempted to infiltrate Latvian drone manufacturing companies and collected information about donors supporting Ukraine and people displaying Ukrainian symbols.

Latvia’s State Security Service (SGB) previously stated that the group coordinated its activities via Telegram channels and acted against the country’s national security. A criminal case against the “Anti-Fascists of the Baltics” was initiated in November 2022.

Currently, two alleged members of the group are on trial. Several other suspects, according to investigators, fled to Russia or Belarus.

Prosecutor Zane Lodzina said the group’s main goal was to create a circle of individuals disloyal to Latvia, with the aim of destabilising the situation in the country, organising unrest, and acting against the democratic order and citizens who oppose Russia.

The role of Sergey Vasiliev, whom the media calls the leader of the “Anti-Fascists of the Baltics,” is highlighted separately. According to the investigation, he passed information to Sergey Kolesnikov, a person linked to Russian intelligence services. Vasiliev’s wife was also detained; she is suspected of providing data on the movement of military equipment and making frequent trips to Russia.

Latvia’s SGB has officially confirmed that it has launched a criminal case for espionage and detained several suspects within a month. Under Latvian law, leading such a criminal organization and participating in its activities carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment, or 10 to 20 years in prison.

By Khagan Isayev