Court sentences man to seven years for aiding Russian military

A Riga City Court has sentenced German-Russian dual citizen Sergei Nikitin to seven years in prison for helping the Russian military, LSM reported. He has been held in custody since his arrest in Latvia last September.

The case concerned the collection and transfer of money and goods to Russian military personnel. Prosecutors said Nikitin provided goods to people connected with the Russian armed forces, hospitals treating military personnel and an organisation directly collecting support for the Russian army. They said the activity continued from November 18, 2023, until his arrest.

Nikitin denies the charges and says he was providing humanitarian aid to civilians. Prosecutors said messages, photographs and videos found on his phone indicated links to Russian military personnel.

The court also imposed one year of probation supervision. The judgment is not final and can be appealed.