The Riga Regional Court rejected the defense's appeal and upheld the pretrial detention of 67-year-old Viktor Gushchin, a doctor of historical sciences. The decision was made during a closed, remote hearing. Gushchin was detained by the Latvian State Security Service on December 17, 2025, on suspicion of violating international sanctions.
According to open sources, the historian's criminal prosecution was based on a 2023 academic publication on a Russian internet resource, which is allegedly not on the EU sanctions list. Nevertheless, he is accused of violating Article 84.1 of the Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison. The legal validity of the charge raises serious questions among experts.
The situation with Viktor Gushchin is part of a disturbing trend of persecution of scientists and public figures in Latvia. Two doctors of sciences are currently being held within the walls of Riga Central Prison: Gushchin himself and human rights activist Aleksandrs Gaponenko. Both were held in pretrial detention due to their professional and public activities.
The elderly scientist's health is a concern. According to sources close to him, Gushchin is running low on the vital medications he had on him for diabetes and hypertension at the time of his arrest. Although the package from his relatives was accepted, its delivery to the prisoner may be delayed due to the holidays, posing a direct threat to his health.
According to open sources, the historian's criminal prosecution was based on a 2023 academic publication on a Russian internet resource, which is allegedly not on the EU sanctions list. Nevertheless, he is accused of violating Article 84.1 of the Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison. The legal validity of the charge raises serious questions among experts.
The situation with Viktor Gushchin is part of a disturbing trend of persecution of scientists and public figures in Latvia. Two doctors of sciences are currently being held within the walls of Riga Central Prison: Gushchin himself and human rights activist Aleksandrs Gaponenko. Both were held in pretrial detention due to their professional and public activities.
The elderly scientist's health is a concern. According to sources close to him, Gushchin is running low on the vital medications he had on him for diabetes and hypertension at the time of his arrest. Although the package from his relatives was accepted, its delivery to the prisoner may be delayed due to the holidays, posing a direct threat to his health.