Latvia authorises border guards to use weapons to protect infrastructure

Latvia’s parliament has approved amendments allowing border guards to use weapons to repel attacks on border infrastructure, LSM reported on Thursday. The change also permits their use in self-defence.

Border guards may use physical force, special combat techniques, special equipment, weapons and service dogs to repel an attack on a facility guarded by the State Border Guard or on state border infrastructure. They may use a weapon without warning if warning is not possible in the circumstances.

The amendments aim to clarify border guards’ powers to protect infrastructure from hybrid attacks. Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava told parliament the state must show it is prepared to respond to hybrid warfare, and that border guards should be confident they can use all available means to protect border security.

If someone is injured or dies as a result of a weapon being used, the State Border Guard must notify the prosecutor’s office promptly and no later than 24 hours afterwards. Under changes to the Criminal Procedure Law, offences allegedly committed by a border guard while performing duties under the heightened border security regime will be investigated by officials authorised by the State Border Guard. The regime is in force until December 31, 2026.

In early October, armed people threatened Latvian soldiers, drove migrants towards Latvia and damaged border surveillance equipment, according to the article.