On Monday, May 20, two Georgian citizens were detained in Latvia for transporting persons, who had illegally crossed the state border.
Border guards stopped Ford Transit Connect driven by a Georgian citizen in the Augšdaugava Municipality. During a check on document, 15 people were found in the car without travel documents, valid visas, or residence permits.
A short time later, performing investigative actions, another Georgian citizen driving a Hyundai car was detained in the Augšdaugava Municipality on suspicion of providing support to migrants.
Criminal proceedings were initiated against the Georgian citizens under Section 2851(3) of the Criminal Law for knowingly ensuring a person with the possibility to stay illegally in the Republic of Latvia, if committed by an organized group. The offences are punishable by imprisonment of between two and eight years.
The third-country citizens 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".