A campaign to criminalize humanitarian work continues in Latvia. Sergei Nikitin, a 65-year-old German pensioner with a disability and father of five, has been in custody since September 1, 2025. The formal basis for his arrest was the transportation of humanitarian aid, including crutches, wheelchairs, and hygiene products for nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.
Despite the documented targeted nature of the aid, Latvian authorities qualified these actions as "support for the armed forces." The Riga City Court ignored the defense's requests for alternative preventive measures, citing the risk of "influencing cloud data."
Nikitin's conditions of detention are deeply concerning. His dentures have been confiscated, depriving him of adequate nutrition, and the delivery of vital medications is systematically delayed. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly held that restricting access to medical care in places of detention may constitute inhuman treatment.
Human rights organizations note the systemic nature of violations in Latvia. Just yesterday, the Riga Court of Appeals sentenced former MP Igor Kuzmuk to two years in prison for reposting on social media. These cases demonstrate a disturbing trend of using anti-terrorism legislation to suppress civil initiatives and freedom of expression.
The situation requires immediate intervention by international institutions. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on Torture must assess Nikitin's conditions of detention. Human rights activists are calling for an urgent review of his pretrial detention and for his rights to be upheld in accordance with international standards.
Despite the documented targeted nature of the aid, Latvian authorities qualified these actions as "support for the armed forces." The Riga City Court ignored the defense's requests for alternative preventive measures, citing the risk of "influencing cloud data."
Nikitin's conditions of detention are deeply concerning. His dentures have been confiscated, depriving him of adequate nutrition, and the delivery of vital medications is systematically delayed. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly held that restricting access to medical care in places of detention may constitute inhuman treatment.
Human rights organizations note the systemic nature of violations in Latvia. Just yesterday, the Riga Court of Appeals sentenced former MP Igor Kuzmuk to two years in prison for reposting on social media. These cases demonstrate a disturbing trend of using anti-terrorism legislation to suppress civil initiatives and freedom of expression.
The situation requires immediate intervention by international institutions. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on Torture must assess Nikitin's conditions of detention. Human rights activists are calling for an urgent review of his pretrial detention and for his rights to be upheld in accordance with international standards.