Police seek charges against Ukrainian over 2020 border guard attack

Latvia’s State Police has referred a separate criminal case against a Ukrainian citizen to prosecutors over alleged involvement in the attempted murder of a border guard in Daugavpils in 2020, LSM reports.

Working closely with Ukraine’s National Police, investigators obtained evidence that the particularly serious crime was committed by an internationally organised group. Six people were identified as suspects: four Ukrainian citizens, one Latvian citizen and one Lithuanian citizen.

Because one of the Ukrainian suspects evaded the investigation, police decided in 2025 to separate the case. The suspect was placed in custody and put on an international wanted list. The person was detained in a European Union member state in June and later extradited to Latvia.

On August 12, the case against the Ukrainian citizen was referred to the Latgale judicial district prosecutor’s office to begin prosecution. Police are seeking charges of attempted murder committed as part of an organised group and connected to the victim’s performance of official duties.

The offence carries a possible sentence of life imprisonment or 15 to 20 years in prison, along with probation supervision for up to three years. Property may also be confiscated.

Background

The attempted murder of a State Border Guard official took place in Daugavpils on November 6, 2020. The State Police’s Latgale regional department opened a criminal case that same day.

Investigators established that the crime showed signs of having been commissioned and carried out by an internationally organised group. In August 2024, police referred a separate case against another group member, a Latvian citizen, to prosecutors over alleged involvement in the attempted murder.

Police said the main criminal case remains under active investigation to establish the possible involvement and degree of guilt of other people.