Uzbek nationals convicted of torturing a swan in Carnikava to be deported from Latvia

Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has decided to revoke the temporary residence permits of two Uzbek nationals who tortured a swan in Carnikava earlier this year. Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava (National Alliance) announced the decision on Facebook.

Under the ruling, the two men must leave Latvia within seven days. If they fail to depart voluntarily, forced deportation proceedings will begin.

What happened

The incident took place on March 30, 2025, by the Gauja River in Carnikava. Akbar Abdikhakimov and Bekhruz Sharipov lured a swan out of the water using food. One of the men then grabbed the bird by its wings, laid it on the ground, held it down with one hand, and with the other broke its neck and struck it in the head with his fist.

Once the swan stopped resisting, the second man opened a black garbage bag and the bird was stuffed inside. The bagged swan was carried to a car and placed in the trunk, after which the two men drove away from the scene. They later told police they had been "celebrating the end of Lent" and took the swan for fun. The men then drove to Riga, where they released the swan by the roadside.

Court ruling

Both men had reached a plea agreement with the prosecutor on sentencing. The court sentenced them to three years and 11 months of probationary supervision and banned them from keeping any species of animal for four years.