A Fighter Against the Demolition of Soviet Monuments Escaped from Latvia 0 15

Zhgun wrote, quote: "Weighing all the pros and cons, I made a decision that was very difficult for me; I couldn't wait for the moment when handcuffs would be put on me in the courtroom and I would be sent to prison. The only way out was to flee Latvia. Telling my family that I was going fishing, I stepped over the threshold of my home for the last time with a heavy heart, closed the door behind me, and left.

Only in the morning, already on the territory of Russia, did I send a message to my wife that I would not be returning and that I was fine. I still feel uneasy; it’s hard for me to imagine the shock she must have been in. After all, no one, not a single living soul, knew about my plans!"

He also emphasized that he does not hope for a fair court decision.

Recall that the Latvian State Security Service initiated a criminal case against "Anti-Fascists of the Baltics" on November 28, 2022. During the investigation, it was established that the organization systematically and purposefully used channels on Telegram for various actions aimed against the national security interests of Latvia, including the illegal collection of classified information and other information for the purpose of transferring it to Russian special services and other institutions.

Calls for gathering information about Latvian civil servants, government officials, state security personnel, Latvian military officials, and Latvian citizens fighting on the side of Ukraine were regularly published on the channels.

On October 20, 2023, six individuals were charged under the article on leading a criminal organization or participating in its crimes. Such a crime is punishable by life imprisonment or imprisonment for a term of 10 to 20 years.

Charges in this case were brought against Tatiana Andriec, Alexander Zhgun, Stanislav Bukain, Sergey Vasilyev, Viktoria Matule, and Roman Samuly.