Former Sputnik editor: 'Baltic Antifascists' is a Russian intelligence project
Former Sputnik Lithuania editor Marat Kasem claims the Telegram channel 'Baltic Antifascists' was set up by Russian security services. Latvia's security police has recorded activities on the channel that threaten national security.
Marat Kasem, former editor-in-chief of Sputnik Lithuania, said in an interview for the LETA podcast 'Kas tas vispār bija?! Aiz priekškara' that the Telegram channel 'Baltic Antifascists' is a project commissioned by Russia's Federal Security Service. He said the channel differs from other channels funded from Russia's propaganda budget, calling it the 'purest intelligence services project'.
According to Kasem, the channel's leader has spoken publicly about preparing reports for Russian intelligence services and compiling lists of people disloyal to Russia, so that in the event of a potential occupation these people could be 'eliminated'. He acknowledged he has no public documents proving these links to Russian intelligence. Kasem said he himself was offered a role as an expert for the project but declined once he learned of its possible ties to Russian security services. He added that the project had initially considered producing content in Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian as well. LETA has not independently verified these claims.
Security service findings
Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) has identified various activities on the channel directed against Latvia's national security interests, including praise for Russia's political regime and its aggression against Ukraine, calls for cyberattacks on state and private-sector institutions, and appeals to gather information on the infrastructure of Latvia's National Armed Forces and NATO allied forces stationed in the country. The channel also compiles information on Latvian officials and public figures who oppose Russia's war in Ukraine, with the stated aim of passing it to Russian intelligence services. VDD assesses that the activities are meant to influence public opinion and decision-making in Latvia in line with Russian interests.
Kasem's case
Latvia's Prosecutor's Office fined Kasem 15,500 euros for assisting Russia in activities directed against Latvia; he pleaded guilty and paid the fine. Between 2017 and November 2022 he provided support to Russia, aware that Moscow sought to expand its influence in the Baltic states. Following the ruling, President Edgars Rinkēvičs said certain recent prosecutorial decisions raised questions, while the Judicial Council said it would review sentencing policy in such cases.
