Vishvanatha files police complaint over alleged threats and harassment

Scientist Vishvanatha, whose Latvian citizenship the Saeima (Latvia's parliament) recently declared void, filed a complaint with police on 26 October. She asks authorities to assess what she describes as a public smear and harassment campaign, threats, the spread of false information and racist remarks on social media, according to a statement sent to media on behalf of the Vishvanatha family.

Copies of the complaint were also sent to the State Security Service, the Prosecutor General's Office and the Ombudsman. The statement claims the public debate has turned into insults and threats that have also affected her family and underage son. She says she is ready to give state institutions documents and explanations about her professional and scientific work, and stresses that she does not wish to restrict freedom of speech or professional criticism but asks that possible violations and family safety risks be assessed.

The news agency LETA earlier asked her to comment on questions about her education and professional career, but received no reply and has so far been unable to reach her.

How the dispute arose

Last Thursday the Saeima, using an urgent procedure, passed a law that annulled, with immediate effect, the law adopted a week earlier granting Vishvanatha Latvian citizenship. The amendments were submitted by deputies of the party New Unity.

The Saeima's Citizenship, Migration and Social Cohesion Committee had argued that she is an Indian citizen with a doctorate in computer science, working in information technology, data science, artificial intelligence and pharmaceutical research. She has been linked to the Latvian Academy of Sciences since 2019 and since 2024 has led the artificial intelligence laboratory at the company Dr. Vishys. According to firmas.lv, the company is owned by Kanans Vishvanaths and for the past couple of years has had no turnover and losses of more than 200,000 euros.

After the decision, doubts emerged publicly about her education, publications and the grounds for citizenship. President Edgars Rinkēvičs urged the Saeima to dispel the doubts and, if necessary, review the law. Vishvanatha has rejected the criticism, saying the documents submitted are genuine and verified. The Prosecutor's Office has launched a check into the granting of citizenship.