Sergei Sidorov, accused of espionage in Latvia in favor of Russia, photographed the vehicles of builders who were involved in demolishing the monument to the Soviet Army in Riga and discussed plans to blow up the drone testing ground in Balozhi, according to the prosecution's indictment, according to Postimees.
The indictment read by prosecutor Zane Lodzina in court suggests that in October 2022, a Telegram channel called "Antifascists of the Baltic States" and related channels were created, where information was collected to assist Russia and its services against Latvia's security.
The accused spy for Russia, taxi driver Sergey Sidorov. Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETA
Telegram channels associated with the "Antifascists of the Baltic States" regularly posted calls for individuals in Latvia to gather information that would be useful to Russian intelligence services. There were also requests for news about daily events in Latvia's defense system, Latvia's international cooperation, NATO defense plans, the practical activities of NATO members in Latvia, as well as news about support measures for Ukraine in Latvia.
In some cases, publications openly stated that this information would be passed on to the Investigative Committee of Russia or the Federal Security Service (FSB). On the other hand, strategic and operational-tactical reconnaissance, as indicated in the publications, is primarily necessary for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia.
Responding to such messages, Sidorov, guided by ideological motives, agreed to collect information, knowing that it would be passed on to Russian services, emphasized in the indictment.
Sidorov provided information about military activities, the location of military vessels, training grounds, and airports. He also photographed and provided coordinates of houses where Ukrainian flags were displayed on balconies.
On June 20, Sidorov sent information that there were many "Ukrainian tourists" at the oil terminal and asked if there was anything that "could be placed there to explode or catch fire in an hour."
Sidorov also wrote that there were two places he would like to blow up — the terminal and the drone testing ground. In response to this message, the recipient said that such an operation needed to be carefully considered. Sidorov wrote that he had thought everything through and only needed the components. In response, his contact said that the components needed to be found in Latvia, which is a complex process, and such matters should not be discussed on Telegram.
