Latvian couple held over alleged spying for Russia’s GRU

Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD), working with the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD), arrested a couple on June 28 on suspicion of gathering information about the country’s defence sector for Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, LSM reported.

A criminal case against the two Latvian citizens was opened on June 27, based on information from MIDD. The case concerns collecting information that must not be disclosed, as well as other information, and passing it to a foreign intelligence service on its instructions.

Investigators say the pair obtained and passed information to the GRU about Latvia’s defence system, activities by NATO allied forces and various forms of support for Ukraine. This included intelligence about a National Armed Forces aviation base, radar systems and the movements of military aircraft.

One of the suspects allegedly carried out reconnaissance of the Ādaži military base and photographed it from the air using a small private aircraft. The pair also carried out activities to support potential intelligence and sabotage groups in Latvia, according to investigators.

On the day of the arrests, VDD and MIDD carried out procedural actions at three locations linked to the suspects in Riga and Ādaži municipality. They seized numerous data storage devices, documents and notes. The contents of the seized items are being examined. Both suspects have been remanded in custody as a security measure. The investigation is continuing.