Latvia opens criminal case over terrorism threats from pro-Kremlin group

Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) has opened a criminal investigation into threats to carry out terrorist attacks against Latvian companies that supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. The case follows an ultimatum posted on September 8 by a pro-Kremlin group calling itself Global Citizens Against War 1984.

The group demanded that Latvia stop supplying weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. It threatened that if the demand was not met, it would carry out terrorist attacks against specific Latvian companies.

Person detained in Riga

On September 10, as part of the criminal proceedings, the VDD detained one person in Riga and carried out procedural actions at that person's place of residence and in their vehicle. The service is currently analyzing data storage devices and other items seized during the search. The suspect has been taken into custody.

The criminal case was opened under the second part of Article 79.6 of the Criminal Law.

Similar threats against other countries

In its ultimatum, the group made similar demands of Poland and Portugal, threatening action against several companies in those countries if their demands were not met.

Separately, the United States has charged several Russian citizens with allegedly financing terrorism and conspiring to organize assassination attempts around the world. In the United Kingdom, a British citizen has been charged with cooperating with a foreign intelligence service and preparing an act of sabotage; according to British prosecutors, the man may have had contact with a group linked to Russian military intelligence. Earlier, a Russian citizen was detained in Romania on suspicion of preparing acts of sabotage.