Latvia’s authorities have announced a search for the country’s citizen, Aleksandrs Mališevs, who fought for Russian forces against Ukraine.
Latvia’s intelligence, the State Security Service (VDD), launched criminal proceedings before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year. The man is accused of fighting since 2015 for the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, the Russian-led separatists in eastern Ukraine.
According to the LETA news agency, Mališevs allegedly fought for the 14th Territorial Defence Battalion and participated in combat operations.
He has now been put on an international wanted list.
Latvia criminalised participation in armed conflicts abroad on February 19, 2015. However, similarly to Estonia and Lithuania, it has not prosecuted people who have fought for Ukraine.
Previously, the VDD convicted several Latvian nationals for joining Russian-led forces in eastern Ukraine.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
