On March 10, 2025, the Riga District Court considered the complaint of the lawyer of human rights defender, professor Aliaksandr Gaponenka against the decision of the investigating judge of February 17 of the current year, according to which he was subjected to a preventive measure in the form of detention, reports journalist Alla Berezovskaia.
The lawyer Imma Jansone asked to cancel this decision and replace the preventive measure with any other one, including bail and house arrest. Taking into account the advanced age of the doctor of economics and his state of health, the lawyer hoped for a more humane attitude on the part of the judges.
The decision of the investigative court remained unchanged. The next court hearing on the measure of restraint will be held only two months after the arrest - April 14-17 this year.
Recall that on February 14, 2025, Riga District Court ruled to arrest a well-known public figure and human rights activist Alexander Gaponenko. This preventive measure was chosen as a precautionary measure.
On February 4 in Moscow the organization “Institute of CIS countries” held a public discussion under the title “Ethnocide of Russian compatriots in the Baltic States as a factor of preparation for war with Russia”.
After examining the statements made at the conference, the State Security Service initiated criminal proceedings on suspicion of offenses 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.
Previously, Aleksandrs Gaponenko, born in 1954, has previously been convicted for inciting national hatred and actions directed 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, came into force. Gaponenko was given a suspended prison sentence.
Gaponenko was also charged in another case of inciting ethnic hatred. This case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
The lawyer Imma Jansone asked to cancel this decision and replace the preventive measure with any other one, including bail and house arrest. Taking into account the advanced age of the doctor of economics and his state of health, the lawyer hoped for a more humane attitude on the part of the judges.
The decision of the investigative court remained unchanged. The next court hearing on the measure of restraint will be held only two months after the arrest - April 14-17 this year.
Recall that on February 14, 2025, Riga District Court ruled to arrest a well-known public figure and human rights activist Alexander Gaponenko. This preventive measure was chosen as a precautionary measure.
On February 4 in Moscow the organization “Institute of CIS countries” held a public discussion under the title “Ethnocide of Russian compatriots in the Baltic States as a factor of preparation for war with Russia”.
After examining the statements made at the conference, the State Security Service initiated criminal proceedings on suspicion of offenses 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.
Previously, Aleksandrs Gaponenko, born in 1954, has previously been convicted for inciting national hatred and actions directed 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, came into force. Gaponenko was given a suspended prison sentence.
Gaponenko was also charged in another case of inciting ethnic hatred. This case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.