A Ukrainian citizen involved in a plot to kill a State Border Guard will stand trial, according to the Latgale District Prosecutor's Office.
The Ukrainian citizen was one of those involved but not the instigator of the murder, is to stand trial for an attempt by an organised group to kill a State Border Guard official whilst the latter was carrying out his official duties. The instigator, who remains unidentified following the investigation, planned this crime so that the illegal circulation and importation of goods into Latvia could continue unhindered.
The person who ordered the murder – whose identity has not yet been established in the investigation – formed an organised group involving at least four people from Ukraine and one Latvian citizen. He reportedly wished to take revenge on the border guard for putting a stop to the illegal trafficking of excise goods and to ensure that the illegal trafficking and importation of these goods into Latvia would not be disrupted in future.
The defendant was tasked with finding two people to kill the border guard and organising their travel from Ukraine to Lithuania. He found these individuals and promised them payment. In October 2020, they travelled to Lithuania, where they met the defendant. He provided them with accommodation and money, as well as showing them a photograph of the border guard and explaining that the person in the photograph was to be killed. The individuals then travelled to Latvia on the defendant’s instructions.
In November 2020, in Daugavpils, the attackers ambushed the border guard as he was cycling home from work. One of them sprayed tear gas into the border guard’s eyes, whilst the other struck him on the head with a sledgehammer. The victim managed to escape, so the attackers were unable to carry out their criminal intent to the full for reasons beyond their control. The victim sustained bodily injury.
In 2024, the Public Prosecutor’s Office referred a criminal case against another person, a Latvian citizen involved in this incident, to the court.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office points out that no person is deemed guilty until their guilt in committing a criminal offence has been established in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Criminal Procedure Law.
Seen a mistake?
Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor
Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor