Latvia has deported a Russian citizen, Boris Katkov, who is the head of the Latvian-Russian Cooperation Association.
Delfi reported, that at the initiative of the Security Police (VDD), the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rihards Kozlovskis, added the head of the Latvian-Russian Cooperation Association, Russian citizen Boris Katkov, to the list of undesirable persons in Latvia.
The decision was made based on the VDD's conclusion, which received information about Katkov's activities posing a threat to national security. His long-term cooperation with representatives of Russia and pro-Kremlin organizations in Latvia was taken into account.
It is noted that Katkov was declared persona non grata and deported from the country for his long-term and systematic activities in favor of Russia.
Based on publicly available information, Boris Katkov arrived in Latvia in 1966. He initially worked at the military commissariat in Cesis and later in Daugavpils. He retired with the rank of colonel in 1991.
Katkov obtained a non-citizen passport in Latvia in 1998, and in the year 2000, he acquired Russian citizenship.
And his latest registration of a residence permit in Latvia was valid until 2025. In November of last year, Katkov provided explanations to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, stating that he acquired Russian citizenship to visit relatives in Russia, where he owned property, but currently, he has no connections with that country. His wife, a retiree, and adult son and daughter are all non-citizens of Latvia. His income consists of Russian pensions, both military and age-related.
In 1999, Katkov became the head of the Latvian-Russian Cooperation Association. In an interview with Latvijas Avīze in 2012, he claimed that the idea for creating the organization originated from the State Duma of Russia.
During the 2000s, the association published the magazine "Korni," organized celebrations (including May 9 or Russia Day on June 12), and Boris Katkov met with the President of Latvia, Andris BÄ“rziņš, and the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
In 2004, the association signed a cooperation agreement with the "United Russia" party. In a conversation with Latvijas Avīze in 2012, Katkov stated that "thanks in part to our votes, Putin gained an absolute advantage" in the presidential elections. At the same time, 12 years ago, Katkov acknowledged that the association brings together citizens of a foreign state, and therefore, "from the moment of the organization's founding, we are politically neutral here."
As reported by the Delfi portal, the decision to include Katkov in the list of undesirable persons in Latvia was made by the Minister of the Interior, Rihards Kozlovskis, based on the conclusion of the Security Police, which received information about Katkov's activities posing a threat to state security. His long-term cooperation with representatives of Russia and pro-Kremlin organizations in Latvia was taken into account.
According to the law, after the minister's decision to include a person in the undesirable list, the border guard issues an expulsion order within eight days. Theoretically, this decision can be appealed within 30 days. However, the physical actions can now be taken through a representative.
