On February 4, 2025, Riga District Court ruled to arrest a well-known public figure and human rights activist Aliaksandr Haponenka, Baltija portal reports.
Gaponenko has the right to appeal the court's decision to the Riga District Court. His lawyer, Imma Jansone, confirmed that he will appeal. The lawyer did not go into details of the case, but noted that Gaponenko does not admit his guilt in the incriminated crimes.
On February 4, 2025, in Moscow, the organization “Institute of CIS countries” held a public discussion entitled “Ethnocide of Russian compatriots in the Baltic States as a factor of preparation for war with Russia”.
After studying the statements made at the conference, the State Security Service initiated criminal prosecution on suspicion of crimes under Articles 81.1 and 78 of the Criminal Law. These articles relate to assisting Russia in activities against Latvia and provoking national hatred and dissent.
Recall that Alexander Gaponenko, born in 1954, has previously been convicted for inciting national hatred and actions against Latvia. In addition, he is a defendant in another case.
In April 2022, the Supreme Court rejected the cassation appeal and the verdict of the Riga City Court, which found Gaponenko guilty of inciting ethnic hatred and activities against Latvia, entered into legal force. Gaponenko was sentenced to suspended imprisonment.
As part of the case, Gaponenko was accused, inter alia, of disseminating allegations on the internet between the end of 2017 and spring 2018. The allegations concerned the revival of fascism in Latvia, persecution of Russian-speaking residents and genocide carried out by the Latvian army and NATO allies.
Gaponenko has also been charged in another case of inciting ethnic hatred. The case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
Gaponenko has the right to appeal the court's decision to the Riga District Court. His lawyer, Imma Jansone, confirmed that he will appeal. The lawyer did not go into details of the case, but noted that Gaponenko does not admit his guilt in the incriminated crimes.
On February 4, 2025, in Moscow, the organization “Institute of CIS countries” held a public discussion entitled “Ethnocide of Russian compatriots in the Baltic States as a factor of preparation for war with Russia”.
After studying the statements made at the conference, the State Security Service initiated criminal prosecution on suspicion of crimes under Articles 81.1 and 78 of the Criminal Law. These articles relate to assisting Russia in activities against Latvia and provoking national hatred and dissent.
Recall that Alexander Gaponenko, born in 1954, has previously been convicted for inciting national hatred and actions against Latvia. In addition, he is a defendant in another case.
In April 2022, the Supreme Court rejected the cassation appeal and the verdict of the Riga City Court, which found Gaponenko guilty of inciting ethnic hatred and activities against Latvia, entered into legal force. Gaponenko was sentenced to suspended imprisonment.
As part of the case, Gaponenko was accused, inter alia, of disseminating allegations on the internet between the end of 2017 and spring 2018. The allegations concerned the revival of fascism in Latvia, persecution of Russian-speaking residents and genocide carried out by the Latvian army and NATO allies.
Gaponenko has also been charged in another case of inciting ethnic hatred. The case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.