Lithuania detains Latvian national suspected of murder linked to organized crime group

Lithuanian authorities have detained a Latvian national, born in 1976, suspected by Latvia's State Police of participating in an organized criminal group and of murder under especially aggravating circumstances. Police confirmed the details to the news portal "Delfi".

The man had been wanted in connection with the killing of another man last August. According to police, the suspect was aware he was being sought and used various methods of concealment to hide his whereabouts.

Detained in Šiauliai

A European Arrest Warrant was issued for the man during the investigation. Cooperation between Latvia's State Police, Eurojust, the criminal police of Šiauliai and Klaipėda, and Lithuania's anti-terrorism unit ARAS made it possible to pinpoint his exact location.

He was detained on September 18 in Šiauliai. On the same day, an authorized search was carried out at his actual place of residence, during which several technical devices were seized that police say could serve as evidence in the criminal case.

A Lithuanian court has ordered his pretrial detention. He is expected to be extradited to Latvia's State Police in the near future for further procedural actions.

Part of a wider case

The detained man is suspected both of participating in crimes committed by the group and of murder under especially aggravating circumstances committed by an organized group. The detention is linked to a previously launched criminal case concerning the activity of an organized criminal group in Latvia, which engaged in banditry and committed several particularly serious crimes. At least three people were harmed by the group's activities, and one person was killed.

Police note that no person is considered guilty until proven so under the procedure established by law.