Latvian court gives TikTok user three years for glorifying Russian war crimes

Riga City Court has sentenced Tatjana Masenko to three years in prison for glorifying war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, LSM reported. She was also given two years of probation supervision.

Prosecutor Roberts Urdzins had sought the same sentence. He said Masenko did not deny publishing the videos from her profile and that investigators had found more than 20 posts, with other similar posts beyond those listed in the charges.

Masenko’s lawyer, Oskars Ondrups, said the defence would appeal, arguing that the sentence was disproportionate. He told the court that she had used TikTok thoughtlessly and carelessly in an attempt to attract attention, not to support Russian aggression or influence others. The defence asked for her acquittal.

Masenko expressed regret, but said she had not posted the videos to glorify war crimes or influence anyone. She said she had not expressed an opinion or promoted an ideology, and argued that her four months in pre-trial detention had already served as punishment.

Those involved in the case can request the full judgment within 10 days of its announcement. The ruling can be appealed within 10 working days.