Latvian Interior Ministry finds no grounds to strip citizenship from oligarch Aven
While the EU still debates extending sanctions against Russian oligarch Pyotr Aven, Latvia's Interior Ministry, even under new political leadership, sees no grounds to revoke his Latvian citizenship.
European Union member states must agree by Tuesday on extending sanctions against more than 3,000 individuals linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The agreement has been delayed due to objections from Slovakia, meaning a final decision has not yet been reached.
Among those on the sanctions list for the past four years is Pyotr Aven, a resident of Latvia listed as one of the oligarchs closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Citizenship remains unaffected
While discussions on extending the sanctions continue at the EU level, Aven's position regarding his Latvian citizenship appears stable for now. According to a report by Latvian Television's "de facto" program, Latvia's Interior Ministry — even following a change in its political leadership — has found no grounds to strip him of Latvian citizenship.
This means that regardless of how the EU-level negotiations over extending sanctions conclude, Aven's legal status in Latvia is not currently being challenged by state authorities.
