(w/ADD) State Security Service detains for Riga councilor for activities in Russia's interests

• Published date: 01 August 2022
• Publication title: LETA

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RIGA, Aug 1 (LETA) - The State Security Service has detained Ruslans Pankratovs, a former member of Riga City Council, on suspicions of publicly supporting Russia's crimes against Ukraine and its people and breaching international sanctions, LETA was told at the State Security Service.

Last weekend the State Security Service raided three locations in Riga and its vicinity. The suspect was detained on Saturday, July 30.

The arrest follows a criminal probe that was launched on July 29 over crimes against peace and public glorification and justification of war crimes, as well as violation of sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU).

Evidence obtained by investigators suggest that the suspect had been using Russian propaganda websites to justify Russia's war in Ukraine and war crimes committed by Russian troops. The person had also been spreading disinformation about Latvia and its allies in order to discredit them.

Pankratovs is also suspected of collaborating with a person sanctioned by the EU.

During the searches, the State Security Service seized a large amount of data carriers and documents, the content of which is now being analyzed.

The suspect has been remanded in custody. As LETA has learned, a district court in Riga on Monday ruled to leave Pankratovs in detention. Pankratovs has...