Latvia to impose restrictive measures on Russians during election

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Mar 2024 00:33
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Screenings will be conducted by the police, border guards, and immigration officials throughout the election scheduled from Friday to Sunday.

A Russian police officer and a man walk at the Latvian Embassy's building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP)

The chief of police in Latvia announced on Monday that the Baltic nation will conduct background checks on Russian citizens submitting their votes in the presidential election at the embassy in Riga. The purpose is to ensure they possess valid residency permits, and if necessary, deport them.

Latvian authorities also announced they would monitor individuals queuing to vote for any signs of "endorsing the war in Ukraine", which could, due to the vague nature of the statement, even include voicing or displaying support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The screenings will be conducted by the police, border guards, and immigration officials throughout the election scheduled from Friday to Sunday.

"There will be mobile checkpoints on Riga streets around the embassy to check whether the Russian citizens... have legal rights to reside in Latvia," police chief Armands Ruks told TV3 Latvija.

"We will also have zero tolerance towards anybody who might use this weekend to try to justify Russia's invasion and war crimes against Ukraine," he added.

In case Russian voters are found to be without valid residence permits, officials will not rule out "immediate deportations," he said.

Immigration authorities have initiated the process of issuing deportation orders for Russian citizens who have failed to adhere to the new regulations mandating proficiency in basic-level Latvian or enrollment in a language course, following a parliamentary amendment last year.

The language proficiency requirement does not apply to Ukrainian refugees or citizens of EU or NATO countries residing in Latvia.

Part of Rising Russophobia?

Measures of the sort come amid rampant Russophobia exacerbated by Western propaganda and the boycott of everything Russian following the war in Ukraine.

Latvia's intention to verify the residency status of Russian voters demonstrates its commitment to enforcing discriminatory immigration laws towards Russians. It is likely that these measures are specifically aimed at targeting supporters of Putin.

The country has previously arrested several Russian journalists who have been alleged of espionage.

In August 2022, Latvian President Egils Levits expressed the belief that ethnic Russians should be "isolated" if they are not judged to be loyal to the state.