Dombrava Adds First Individuals to ‘Black List’ Since Taking Office

Since assuming office, Interior Minister Rihards Dombrava has made his first decision to place individuals on the so-called "black list" — the official register of foreign nationals prohibited from entering Latvia. According to the Ministry of the Interior, such actions are strictly regulated by the Immigration Law and are subject to risk and legality assessments.

Under the Immigration Law, the interior minister may only decide to include a foreigner on the banned list after receiving an opinion from a competent state authority, such as a security service. The decision must be based on one of seven statutory conditions, including reasonable grounds to believe that the individual is involved in an anti-state or criminal organization, or poses a threat to national security, public order, or public safety.

The ministry declined to provide further comments on the specific decision, stating only that the minister acted within his powers to ensure public order and national security. The affected individual has the right to appeal the decision to the Administrative District Court within one month, but the appeal does not suspend the enforcement of the ban.

It is worth noting that the government led by Andris Kulbergs (AS), in which Dombrava serves as interior minister, was approved by the Saeima on May 28.