Man arrested in Jelgava over 20 years of alleged child sexual abuse

Latvian State Police have arrested a man born in 1967 in Jelgava on suspicion of sexually abusing multiple underage girls over a period of two decades. According to TV3 Ziņas, the victims include two of the man's own daughters as well as three children of family friends.

The case began on January 6 this year, when police received information about possible sexual abuse of several minors by a man in Jelgava. A criminal investigation was launched, operational measures were carried out, and the suspect was detained. On January 8, a court ordered his arrest as a preventive measure, and he remains in custody.

Offenses spanning two decades

The investigation uncovered 18 episodes of criminal offenses committed between March 1994 and January 2015. Egils Jefremovs, head of the Criminal Police Bureau of the State Police's Zemgale Regional Department, explained that the earliest recorded episodes date back to 1994, when the victims were nine and ten years old.

Investigators found that the girls had shown clear behavioral signs pointing to what they were going through, but those around them failed to notice in time. However, none of the adults in the children's surroundings are considered accomplices in the crimes.

Pornographic materials also found

During searches, investigators seized several data storage devices containing images and videos depicting child pornography, as well as material showing sexual acts between humans and animals. Violations of regulations on the circulation of pornographic materials were also established.

The criminal case has been classified under several articles of the Criminal Law covering sexual offenses against minors, as well as a relevant article of the Criminal Code. This month the case was handed over to the prosecutor's office to begin criminal prosecution.

The State Police emphasized that sexual crimes are highly sensitive, noting that experience shows victims are often only able to speak about what happened several years later.