Latvian armed forces property powers limited to military threats

Latvia’s proposed amendments would allow the National Armed Forces to take over private real estate temporarily only during a military threat and when needed for national defence, LSM reported, citing Re:Baltica’s Re:Check fact-checking project.

The government backed the amendments to the National Security Law nearly two weeks ago, but they still require approval from the Saeima to take effect.

Some bloggers and critics of the Latvian state have portrayed the changes on social media as allowing soldiers to seize people’s property for leisure. One video claimed that troops could take over a home because it had a swimming pool where they could rest after a long day.

Roberts Skraučs, an adviser to the commander of the National Armed Forces, told Re:Check that the amendments were intended for specific crisis situations and would include clearly defined conditions for their application.

He said the purpose of the amendments was to ensure national defence in the event of an attack, not to provide entertainment or recreation. The law would specify that the armed forces could take over land only in the event of a military threat.

Examples of such a threat could include the unlawful entry into Latvian territory of a combat aircraft, drone, warship, submarine or military vehicle, as well as the unlawful presence of military formations in the country.

Skraučs also stressed that any soldier would not be able to take over property individually. Such a decision could be made only by the commander of the National Armed Forces or a person authorised by the commander.