Saeima committee backs wider powers for border guards to use weapons

A committee of the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, has backed a plan to expand border guards' right to use physical force, weapons and other special means. The aim is to protect the infrastructure of the state border, Latvian Radio reports.

The committee also supported a controversial initiative. Under it, the border guard would be able, in certain cases, to investigate possible crimes by its own officers that involve violence.

The source does not give the details of the amendments or the cases in which the border guard would carry out such investigations. It also does not say when the changes might come before the full Saeima. The future of the initiative will depend on decisions by parliament.