Latvian citizen detained in Krāslava region for transporting seven illegal border-crossers
Armed Forces soldiers stopped a car in Ezernieki parish carrying seven people without valid documents who had previously crossed the Belarus-Latvia border illegally. The Latvian citizen driving the vehicle now faces criminal proceedings.
Soldiers of the National Armed Forces on patrol in Ezernieki parish, Krāslava municipality, stopped a Citroen car driven by a Latvian citizen. Upon inspection, seven people without valid travel documents, visas or residence permits were found inside the vehicle. The State Border Guard confirmed that these individuals had previously crossed the Belarus-Latvia border illegally.
Criminal proceedings launched
Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the driver under the Criminal Law provision covering the illegal transportation of persons across the state border during a period of heightened border protection or a state of emergency declared due to a threat to border security. The offense carries a prison sentence ranging from two to ten years, with or without confiscation of property, and may include probationary supervision of up to three years. The seven individuals were prevented from illegally crossing the border in accordance with the State Border Guard Law.
Context – Operation "Vilkatis"
The incident is linked to Operation "Vilkatis", launched on August 11 to strengthen security along Latvia's eastern border and counter the hybrid threat of instrumentalized illegal migration from Belarus. The State Border Guard reports that this year it has already opened 143 criminal proceedings against 109 people for illegally transporting persons across the border or enabling their illegal stay in Latvia. Several concluded cases have resulted in severe sentences, including prison terms of over six years. The Border Guard urges the public to refrain from involvement in transporting people who have illegally crossed the border further within the European Union.
