https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/10.07.2026-lithuanian-arrested-in-big-cigarette-seizure-in-riga.a654615/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:13:56 GMT 654615 Tax and Customs Police officers, in cooperation with State Border Guard officers, conducted an inspection of a warehouse in Rīga, in the Teika suburb, at the end of June this year. During the search, a large quantity of cigarettes, vehicles, tracking devices and other items were seized, indicating an intention to covertly transport a large quantity of cigarettes of illegal origin. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/09.07.2026-staged-robbery-uncovered-in-ogre-latvia.a654542/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:33:44 GMT 654542 The State Police have uncovered a staged robbery in Ogre that was organised to conceal the embezzlement of company funds, police said on July 9. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/09.07.2026-man-drives-luxury-cars-steals-fuel-and-sandwiches.a654522/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:54:44 GMT 654522 Police officers in Pārdaugava arrested a young man who, since this spring, had stolen fuel from at least six gas stations in Rīga and the surrounding area using luxury cars. The suspect is currently being held in temporary custody, according to the State Police. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/09.07.2026-two-minors-get-prison-sentence-for-double-homicide.a654472/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:14:08 GMT 654472 Two minors have been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison and three years of probation for the murder of two people in Rēzekne, the Latgale District Court has ruled, according to the Prosecutor's Office. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/08.07.2026-teacher-accused-of-child-sexual-abuse-in-engure-latvia.a654325/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:31:35 GMT 654325 The State Police are recommending that a teacher in Engure, Tukums Municipality, be charged with at least 25 incidents of sexual abuse against minors. The suspect, a man born in 1950, is currently in custody, Latvian Television reports on July 8. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/07.07.2026-veterinarians-ask-that-animal-sexual-abuse-be-criminalized-in-latvia.a654192/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:04:30 GMT 654192 The Latvian Veterinary Association is calling on lawmakers to address a loophole in Latvian law by establishing criminal liability for sexual acts with animals, the association announced on July 7. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/07.07.2026-four-accused-of-systematic-animal-abuse-in-latvia.a654134/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:49:50 GMT 654134 The State Police have detained a group of four individuals suspected of systematic cruelty to animals. For several years, these individuals engaged in sexual acts with various animals at a stable in the Rīga vicinity, Latvian Television reported on July 7. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/06.07.2026-four-accused-of-spying-for-russia.a654043/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:17:00 GMT 654043 Four Latvian nationals are accused of spying for Russia through the organisation “Baltic Antifascists.” The State Security Service (VDD) has urged the prosecutor’s office to initiate criminal proceedings against them for gathering intelligence in Latvia and passing it on to Russian special services, the VDD said July 6. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/06.07.2026-irish-and-latvian-police-team-up-to-tackle-gangmasters.a653998/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:43:00 GMT 653998 An Irish court has handed down sentences related to the labour exploitation of Latvians working in Ireland, notes the Latvian State Police. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/06.07.2026-three-more-police-officers-suspected-of-unwarranted-stun-gun-use.a653996/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:26:47 GMT 653996 The Internal Security Bureau has referred a criminal case to the Prosecutor’s Office for the initiation of criminal proceedings against three officials of the Rīga Regional Administration of the State Police for abuse of authority, in connection with acts of violence. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/03.07.2026-latvian-state-forests-hacker-also-attacked-olpha.a653743/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:04:03 GMT 653743 The cyberattacker who compromised the servers of Latvian State Forests (Latvijas valsts meži, LVM) has also attacked the servers of the pharmaceutical manufacturer Olpha, the cyber incident response agency "Cert.lv" told the LETA newswire on July 3. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/02.07.2026-police-officer-suspected-of-unwarranted-stun-gun-use.a653622/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:17:54 GMT 653622 Internal Security Bureau (IDB) has referred a criminal case to the Prosecutor’s Office against an official of the State Police for unwarranted use of a stun gun, the IDB reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/01.07.2026-illegal-cigarette-seller-group-uncovered-in-latvia.a653385/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:37:15 GMT 653385 An organised group that was selling cigarettes without excise stamps in Latvia has been dismantled, Latvian Television reported on June 30. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/30.06.2026-latvian-citizen-handed-prison-sentence-for-spying-for-russia.a653230/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:01:00 GMT 653230 A Latvian citizen has been sentenced to 5 years and 6 months in prison for spying on behalf of the Russian military intelligence service (GRU), as well as one year and eight months of probation, the prosecutor’s office reported on June 30. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/30.06.2026-woman-sexually-assaulted-in-latvia-probably-by-foreign-men.a653202/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:55:00 GMT 653202 In central Rīga, on her way home Saturday evening, a woman was sexually assaulted, most probably by foreign men. The woman managed to escape only after a passer-by intervened, Latvian Television reported on June 29. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/26.06.2026-watch-heist-gang-handed-prison-sentence-in-latvia.a652797/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:13:00 GMT 652797 Three persons have been convicted of robbing a luxury watch store in Old Rīga as part of an organised group; they were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging up to six years and eight months, with probation supervision and deportation from Latvia, along with an eight-year entry ban. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/25.06.2026-nine-migrant-smugglers-caught-over-the-holidays-in-latvia.a652691/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:52:18 GMT 652691 During the holiday weekend, border guards in the Augšdaugava Municipality and Daugavpils detained nine offenders transporting individuals who had crossed the state border illegally, according to the Border Guard. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/25.06.2026-cyberattack-on-latvian-state-forests-detected.a652645/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:12:33 GMT 652645 A cyberattack has been carried out against the information technology infrastructure of “Latvian State Forests” (Latvijas Valsts meži, LVM), the company confirmed to Latvian Radio on June 25. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/22.06.2026-youths-damage-central-heating-pipes-in-sigulda-latvia.a652465/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:06:20 GMT 652465 More than ten cubic metres of hot water, damaged infrastructure, and the safety of young people at risk. The Sigulda-based company Adven Latvija, which provides centralized heat supply throughout the city, reports that several young people gained access to the heating system and released water from the pipes, Latvian Television reported on June 22. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/19.06.2026-digital-television-case-to-be-reviewed-again-in-court.a652226/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:28:11 GMT 652226 The Senate’s Criminal Division has reviewed the prosecutor’s appeal and overturned the Riga Regional Court’s ruling, which had found all defendants in the so-called second Digital Television criminal case not guilty and acquitted them. Several individuals were involved in the case, including Rīga City Council member Ainārs Šlesers (Latvia First) and former Prime Minister Andris Šķēle, Latvian Television reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/19.06.2026-drone-related-crimes-to-be-punished-more-strictly-in-latvia.a652158/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 19 Jun 2026 06:50:00 GMT 652158 On Thursday, June 18, the Saeima approved, in the final reading, amendments to the Criminal Law that strengthen criminal liability for crimes committed using airborne devices, such as balloons, drones, and weather probes, according to a statement from parliament. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/18.06.2026-prison-sentence-for-ethnic-hate-motivated-assault-in-latvia.a651991/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 18 Jun 2026 07:45:26 GMT 651991 The Kurzeme District Court has sentenced two individuals who, in July 2024, got into a conflict with a Ukrainian citizen at a public event in Ventspils Municipality, making hateful remarks related to his nationality and causing moderate bodily injury to other individuals as well, the court said on June 18. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/17.06.2026-former-latvian-central-banker-has-conviction-for-buying-a-bogus-covid-certificate-upheld.a651904/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:53:55 GMT 651904 The former long-time governor of the Latvian central bank is still guilty of buying a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/15.06.2026-two-migrant-carriers-stopped-after-police-chase-in-eastern-latvia.a651525/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:32:00 GMT 651525 Over the weekend – June 13 and 14 – two people were detained in the Augšdaugava and Rēzekne municipalities following a chase involving the transport of individuals who had illegally crossed the state border, according to the State Border Guard. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/11.06.2026-senior-tax-official-poor-political-decision-making-encourages-smuggling.a651128/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:34:45 GMT 651128 Political decisions, including ill-thought-through bans on e-cigarettes and flavoured liquids, have encouraged smuggling, said Baiba Šmite-Roķe, Director General of the State Revenue Service (VID), at a forum on smuggling issues on Thursday. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/11.06.2026-latvian-police-apprehend-drunken-quad-biker-with-kid.a651055/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:48:37 GMT 651055 State Police officers detained a quadricycle driver after a chase in Bauska, who, ignoring repeated requests to stop, tried to flee from law enforcement officers. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/11.06.2026-puffy-pillows-half-a-million-cigarettes-found-labelled-as-bed-linen.a651052/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:28:27 GMT 651052 Officials of the Customs Department of the State Revenue Service (VID) have seized more than half a million contraband cigarettes that were labelled as 'bed linen' in import documents. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/11.06.2026-public-warned-to-be-on-guard-against-telephone-pension-scam.a651050/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:18:52 GMT 651050 A warning has been issued about a currently popular telephone fraud scheme operating in Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/10.06.2026-passenger-assaults-and-robs-train-conductor-in-latvia.a650859/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:49:00 GMT 650859 A man physically assaulted a female train ticket conductor around midnight on Saturday, June 6, and stole a bag containing money and work equipment, the State Police confirmed. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/08.06.2026-rezeknes-former-mayor-incriminated-in-expensive-spa-case.a650646/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:18:00 GMT 650646 The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is calling for criminal proceedings to be initiated against the former mayor of Rēzekne, Aleksandrs Bartaševičs (Together for Latvia), who may have abused his official position regarding the construction of a spa centre, KNAB stated on June 8. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/08.06.2026-latvia-targets-illicit-cigarette-factories-via-equipment-suppliers.a650640/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:55:07 GMT 650640 In order to improve customs risk management and increase the efficiency of control, the Customs Administration department of Latvia's tax service, VID with the support of experts from the European Commission (EC), has launched a new initiative which aims to identify cigarette production equipment, components and the raw materials necessary for illicit cigarette production, using the Safety and Security Analytics (SSA) system developed by the EC and the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/05.06.2026-french-citizen-detained-for-migrant-smuggling-in-latvia.a650267/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:51:00 GMT 650267 On Thursday, June 4, border guards in the Augšdaugava Municipality detained a French citizen for transporting individuals who had crossed the state border illegally, the State Border Guard said in a release. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/05.06.2026-latvian-police-claim-major-weed-bust.a650187/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:17:20 GMT 650187 This week, State Police officers detained four members of a criminal group in connection with the illegal sale of narcotic and psychotropic substances on a large scale. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/03.06.2026-sexual-predator-doctor-sentenced-to-13-years-in-prison.a649921/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:43:00 GMT 649921 The Riga District Court has found Dr Jevgēnijs Ņikiforenko guilty of sexual assault against several patients and sentenced him to 13 years in prison, LSM.lv and Latvian Television report on June 3. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/02.06.2026-teenagers-body-found-in-burned-out-barn.a649827/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:51:00 GMT 649827 In Smiltene region, a 14-year-old teenager has lost his life in a fire. His remains were discovered by State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) employees while extinguishing a fire in a hay barn. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/01.06.2026-suspected-one-man-crime-wave-apprehended-in-daugavpils.a649569/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:24:47 GMT 649569 Latvian State Police said on June 1st they have arrested a man suspected of committing a string of recent thefts in Dauagavpils.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/28.05.2026-how-questionable-tourist-cash-from-barcelona-ends-up-in-latvias-biggest-bank.a649147/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 28 May 2026 12:35:00 GMT 649147 Latvian Radio's 'Open Files' investigative show has pulled off another coup by exposing a scheme in which money obtained from tourist rentals in Barcelona ends up in Latvia's largest bank. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/27.05.2026-illegal-migrants-caught-in-ogre-forest-far-from-latvian-border.a648904/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 27 May 2026 06:17:53 GMT 648904 For the first time in Birzgale Parish, Ogre Municipality – in central Latvia, not in a border region – eight people who had entered Latvia illegally were detained this week, Latvian Television reported on May 27. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/26.05.2026-four-suspected-of-railway-arson-in-latvia.a648793/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 26 May 2026 11:07:28 GMT 648793 On May 21, the State Security Service (VDD) urged the Prosecutor’s Office to initiate criminal proceedings against four persons for the malicious arson of Latvian railway facilities in the interests of a foreign country, the VDD said. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/22.05.2026-suspected-eu-fund-fraud-case-in-three-of-latvias-hospitals.a648268/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 22 May 2026 05:52:00 GMT 648268 On Thursday, May 21, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) searched the Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital (PSKUS), the Traumatology and Orthopaedics Hospital (TOS), and the Vidzeme Hospital in Valmiera, due to alleged illegal agreements between officials at these hospitals and suppliers of medical goods, KNAB reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/22.05.2026-man-accused-of-organised-kidnapping-caught-in-riga.a648265/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 22 May 2026 05:13:54 GMT 648265 The State Police’s Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, Serious and Serial Crimes arrested Dāvids Krūmiņš, a former soldier in the French Foreign Legion who had been the subject of an international arrest warrant, in Latvia on Thursday, the State Police reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/21.05.2026-mother-of-drowned-girl-handed-prison-sentence-for-negligence.a648147/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 21 May 2026 10:47:18 GMT 648147 The mother of a young girl who drowned in a backyard pond in Ropaži Municipality in 2024 was sentenced to one and a half years in prison for cruelty toward a minor, causing physical suffering, and killing due to negligence, the Rīga District Court said on May 21. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/20.05.2026-prosecutor-general-former-minister-krauze-lies-about-criminal-case.a647928/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 20 May 2026 06:32:17 GMT 647928 Armands Krauze, leader of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) and former Minister of Agriculture, is spreading blatant lies when speaking about his involvement in the timber industry case, Prosecutor General Armīns Meisters said in an interview with TV3 on Wednesday. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/15.05.2026-man-in-riga-victim-of-gold-coin-scam.a647323/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 15 May 2026 12:43:28 GMT 647323 A man in Rīga, having fallen for a scammer posing as a police officer, purchased gold coins worth 21,654 euros and handed them over to fraudsters, the State Police reported.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/15.05.2026-possible-corruption-investigated-at-riga-stradins-hospital.a647304/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 15 May 2026 11:39:00 GMT 647304 Law enforcement officials are investigating possible corruption at the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, one of Latvia's biggest hospitals, the LETA news agency reports on 15th May. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/15.05.2026-man-murdered-in-daugavpils-with-more-than-100-stab-wounds.a647303/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 15 May 2026 11:36:59 GMT 647303 The Latgale District Court has received a criminal case in which two individuals are charged with murder committed by a group of persons with particular cruelty, having killed a man with more than a hundred stab and slash wounds, the prosecutor’s office reported on 15th May. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/10.05.2026-three-arrested-for-victory-day-antics-in-latvia.a646431/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 10 May 2026 07:38:00 GMT 646431 By 8 p.m., the police had initiated a total of 66 administrative violation proceedings related to the commemoration of Soviet soldiers. The majority, or 37 violations, were recorded in the digital environment, and 29 in public places. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/08.05.2026-woman-scammed-by-online-psychic-despite-bank-intervention.a646278/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 08 May 2026 12:44:46 GMT 646278 A woman in Liepāja lost 1,850 euros after falling for a scammer she found on TikTok who claimed to be a psychic. Although the bank intervened and cancelled the transaction, the woman still found a way to transfer the money. The State Police have launched a criminal investigation, police said on 8th May. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/08.05.2026-latvian-police-probing-fake-news-about-drone-incidents.a646209/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 08 May 2026 08:37:00 GMT 646209 Latvia's State Police say they have initiated criminal proceedings under Section 231, Part 1 of the Criminal Law 'for gross disturbance of public order or hooliganism' in connection with the spreading of fake rumours about recent drone incidents. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/07.05.2026-latvia-has-one-of-eus-highest-rates-of-imprisonment.a646142/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 07 May 2026 17:01:00 GMT 646142 Eurostat data published on May 7th shows that Latvia has the third-highest prison population in the European Union on a per capita basis.