The Riga City Court sentenced Latvian citizen Ivan Tarabanov to 5 years and 6 months in prison, along with a three-year probation period, for his involvement in the war against Ukraine, as reported by Delfi.
Previously, he was accused of attempting to illegally participate in an armed conflict and traveling with the intent to commit terrorism. Currently, he remains under arrest.
On March 19, Tarabanov was found guilty of a crime under Latvian criminal law for illegal participation in an armed conflict, but was acquitted of the terrorism-related charge (Article 79.5 of the Criminal Code).
The verdict is not final and can be appealed in the Riga District Court.
According to the indictment, in January 2022, Tarabanov received an order from an unknown person named Alexander to carry out a sabotage operation in Ukraine—specifically, an arson. He then traveled to Ukraine to execute this task.
Earlier reports indicated that the State Security Service (SSS) is investigating another criminal case regarding illegal participation in the war in Ukraine. The case began after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, concerning another Latvian citizen. It is unclear whether Latvian authorities have apprehended this individual.
The SSS is also investigating possible illegal involvement of other individuals in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russian armed forces.
In previous years, the SSS filed and transferred criminal cases to the prosecutor's office regarding Latvian citizens' participation in combat on the side of Russia-backed militants in eastern Ukraine. Some of the accused were arrested in Latvia and sentenced, while others were placed on international wanted lists.
Since February 19, 2015, amendments to the Latvian Criminal Law have prohibited illegal participation in armed conflicts abroad.
