Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has called for an inquiry following a recently released investigation by The Insider that exposed Russian oligarchs running businesses in Latvia through proxies. Current Time reported on the latest development.
“I have requested our agencies to conduct an additional review,” Siliņa stated.
The Insider earlier revealed how sanctioned oligarchs continue to operate in Latvia through frontmen and proxies, and how Russian individuals publicly supporting Vladimir Putin's policies are still benefiting from their personal property in the country.
The investigation also uncovered the fact that, despite Latvia’s attempts to limit Moscow’s influence, Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom continues to hold the largest stake in natural gas company Latvijas Gāze, while Russian military contractors are continuing to develop their Latvian businesses.
The Insider addressed a question to Latvia’s Foreign Minister asking whether figures named in the investigation have been listed as “persona non grata” (PNG) in the country. In response, Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to reveal whether they had added any of the various Russian oligarchs, Russian military contractors, or members of United Russia to their PNG list.