The Latvian Ministry of the Interior has proposed amendments to the national security law, which would prohibit citizens of Russia and Belarus from holding positions in the management structures of critical infrastructure and infrastructure of particular importance at the EU level, as reported by Delfi.
Critical infrastructure refers to objects and systems located in Latvia that play a key role in ensuring public functions, security, health, and the economic well-being of citizens.
According to the amendments, owners, managers, or beneficiaries of such facilities must be loyal to Latvia and its Constitution. They are prohibited from supporting individuals or states that threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or democratic order.
The Ministry proposes to prohibit citizens of Russia and Belarus from:
- Owning, managing, or being true beneficiaries of critical infrastructure;
- Working or providing services at such facilities if access to them is associated with important information or equipment.
However, the amendments provide exceptions. Citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus will be allowed to work with critical infrastructure only based on a separate permit from state security authorities.
For the document to come into effect, it must be approved by the government and passed by the Saeima.
