Sergei Sidorov sentenced to 7 years in Latvia on charges of spying for Russia

Sergei Sidorov, a cab driver from Riga, was found guilty of espionage in favor of Russia and sentenced to seven years in prison and two years of administrative supervision.

According to the investigation materials, Sidorov was associated with the Antifascists of the Baltics telegram channel, which allegedly assisted Russian special services in actions that threatened Latvia's security. The court found that channels like this one called for the collection of data on defense systems, international agreements, NATO plans and aid to Ukraine, which Sidorov also supported by participating in the collection of information. He was also found guilty of inciting ethnic hatred for his online postings.

The detention of Sidorov and another Latvian resident was reported on May 17 by the portal Delfi, specifying that the suspects were accused of cooperation with the Russian special services. Sidorov has previously been prosecuted for espionage, but has not been imprisoned.

Journalist Alexei Stefanov calls Sidorov's case fabricated and notes that the case materials are classified even for defense lawyers, and “espionage does not even need to be proved.” According to Stefanov, in Latvia, incitement of discord can be understood as “any discontent expressed towards Ukrainians”.

According to the IMHOclub Telegram channel, the prosecutor said that the punishment for Sidorov should become “a lesson for the rest of us”.