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Latvia Detains Suspected Russian Intelligence Spy Over Defense Sector Espionage
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Latvian authorities have detained a man suspected of spying for Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) by collecting sensitive information about the country’s defense sector, Delfi reported on November 3.
The operation was conducted by Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) in coordination with the country’s military intelligence agency (MIDD).
According to Delfi, citing MIDD, a criminal case was opened on October 14 under Part 1 of Article 85 of Latvia’s Criminal Law, which covers the collection and transfer of classified or other information to a foreign intelligence service.
“The investigation established that the Latvian citizen obtained and transmitted to Russian military intelligence information about private infrastructure in Latvia that could be used for aviation purposes, the presence of NATO allied forces in the country, and various current defense-related issues,” the statement said.
Investigators also found that, acting on instructions from Russian intelligence, the suspect gathered information about the purchase of prepaid mobile SIM cards in Latvia and other related data, Delfi reported.
Between October 17 and 18, the VDD and MIDD carried out searches at two properties connected to the suspect in Ventspils. The contents of the seized data storage devices are currently being examined.
The suspect has been placed under arrest. The VDD continues its investigation together with MIDD and will release further details as the criminal proceedings develop.
Earlier, Latvia instructed 841 Russian citizens to leave its territory after they failed to demonstrate sufficient Latvian language skills and did not pass the required security screenings.
