Latvia bars entry to father of Saeima candidate Julija Stepaņenko
Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has indefinitely banned Sergejs Fedotovs, father of 15th Saeima election candidate Julija Stepaņenko, from entering the country after reports linked him to an arms dealer and production for the Russian military. Several Latvian security services are now reviewing the origin of his funds and other potential security risks.
According to Latvian Radio, Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (New Unity) on Thursday, September 24, placed Sergejs Fedotovs on Latvia's list of undesirable persons, banning him from entering the country for an indefinite period.
Fedotovs is the father of Julija Stepaņenko, a politician with Sovereign Power/Union of Latvian Nationalists (Suverenā vara/Apvienība Jaunlatvieši) and a candidate in the upcoming 15th Saeima elections. Information that recently surfaced publicly about him has raised concerns, including gifts worth more than 400,000 euros, alleged ties to arms dealer Viktor Bout, and the production of so-called "dragon's teeth" anti-tank obstacles reportedly intended for the Russian army.
Multiple agencies assessing risks
Several Latvian security services are currently reviewing these reports, examining both the origin of Fedotovs's funds and any other potential threats to national security. The entry ban was issued while this assessment is still underway.
Julija Stepaņenko is running in the upcoming 15th Saeima elections; the report does not specify how this situation might affect her political activity or candidacy.
