On Tuesday, July 23, four Latvian citizens were arrested for providing 27 persons who illegally crossed the state border with the opportunity to reside illegally in the territory of Latvia.
The border guards stopped a Chrysler Grand Voyager brand car, which was driven by a male Latvian citizen, in the region of Augšdaugava.
During the inspection of the documents, it was established that a female Latvian citizen was in the passenger’s seat of the car, and 16 persons of Asian origin were in the passenger’s seat of the car without travel documents, as well as valid visas and residence permits.
Soon after, during investigation activities, two more Latvian citizens were detained in a homestead in the Upper Daugava region on suspicion of providing support to migrants, but during the inspection of the territory, 11 more persons of Asian origin were found in the basement without travel documents and valid visas and residence permits.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the citizens of Latvia according to the third part of Article 285.1 of the Criminal Law for knowingly providing a person with the opportunity to stay illegally in the Republic of Latvia, if this was done by an organized group.
For these actions, the aforementioned persons can be punished with deprivation of liberty for a period of two to eight years.
All 27 third-world nationals have been prevented from illegally crossing the state border in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 184 of March 12, 2024 "On the announcement of an enhanced operating regime of the border protection system".