On Monday, August 12, two persons - a Turkish citizen and an Estonian citizen - were detained for ensuring persons who had illegally crossed the state border with possibility to reside illegally in the territory of Latvia and transporting them.
Border guards stopped a Ford Transit minibus driven by a Turkish citizen in the Augšdaugava Municipality. During a check on documents, it was established that the person was staying in Latvia without a travel document and could not explain the purpose of his stay. A short time later, near the stopped minibus, border guards detected 13 persons of Asian origin without travel documents, valid visas and residence permits.
While in Krāslava Municipality, border guards in cooperation with State Police officers stopped a Toyota RAV4 driven by an Estonian citizen. In this case, a check on documents also revealed that the driver of the vehicle was staying in Latvia without a valid travel document, while four persons of Asian origin without travel documents, valid visas and residence permits were established in the car.
Criminal proceedings were initiated against both drivers. In case of the Turkish citizen, under Article 285(3) and Article 15(4) of the Criminal Law, for illegal movement of a person across the state border, where more than five persons are provided with such an opportunity. This offence is punishable by imprisonment of between two and eight years. In case of the Estonian citizen, under Article 2851(2) of the Criminal Law, for knowingly ensuring a person with the possibility of reside illegally in the Republic of Latvia, if such a possibility is provided for more than five persons. This offence is punishable by imprisonment of up to six years.
Both drivers were held administratively liable for staying in the Republic of Latvia without a valid travel document.
All 17 third-country nationals are stopped from illegally crossing the state border in accordance with the Cabinet Order No 184 of March 12, 2024 "Regarding Declaration of the Reinforced Operating Regime of the Border Guarding System".