LTV: Weapons dealer Bout visited construction firm of politician Stepaņenko's father in Russia
Latvian Television found that a construction company in the Moscow region owned by the Russia-based father of politician Jūlija Stepaņenko was visited by arms dealer Viktor Bout during Russia's State Duma election campaign.
Latvian Television (LTV) has reported that the Russia-based father of Latvian politician Jūlija Stepaņenko owns a successful construction business in the Moscow region, which was recently visited by notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout during Russia's State Duma "election" campaign.
Stepaņenko represents the "Sovereign Power/Young Latvians Union" party, which ranks among the leaders in polling ahead of Latvia's parliamentary elections scheduled for early October. In recent weeks, the politician has avoided answering questions about her father living in Russia, from whom she has received notably valuable gifts.
LTV's investigation found that the father's construction company in the Moscow region is a thriving business. The venture appears connected to Russian political circles, as it was recently visited by Viktor Bout — an internationally known arms dealer associated with illegal weapons deliveries to conflict zones.
The revelation about the father's business and the gifts linked to Russia raises questions about the politician's ties to Russia at a time when she is running her own election campaign for the Saeima. Her reluctance to address media questions about her family's Russian connections adds tension to the pre-election debate in Latvia.
