Former Latvian interior minister sentenced for spying for Russia
Former Latvian Interior Minister Janis Adamsons has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after being found guilty of fraud and espionage on Russia’s behalf, public broadcaster LSM reported on Nov. 9.
According to LSM, the investigation determined that Adamsons illegally, systematically, and deliberately collected and passed on classified information to Russia’s FSB security service through Russian citizen and former KGB operative Gennadiy Sylonov.
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"The data included information that provided insights into the workings of Latvian state institutions, law enforcement, and state security agencies, and it also contained details about the system of national defense," stated judge Erlens Ernstsons of the Riga City Court.
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Adamsons was also convicted of fraud and illegal possession of a firearm.
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He was arrested on suspicion of espionage in the spring of 2021. In June, the Latvian parliament consented to his detention.
According to Latvian security services, Adamsons was involved in 43 episodes of espionage. The investigation alleges that over four years, the politician had been passing information to Russia on Latvia’s military budget, procurements, and the eastern border arrangements.
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