A citizen of Tajikistan and Russia, who in March at the Terehovo border checkpoint attempted to escape from Latvian law enforcement in a Lexus, explained in the Latgale District Court that his actions were an attempt to avoid forced mobilization for Russia's war against Ukraine and was acquitted, writes LETA citing "Latvijas Avīze".
As previously reported by the LETA agency, on March 19 at the Terehovo border control point, a man in a Lexus at high speed damaged two barriers, illegally crossed the state border, and fled from Latvian law enforcement, but was soon apprehended. Border guards initiated several administrative cases and a criminal proceeding for intentional illegal crossing of the external border using a vehicle.
According to "Latvijas Avīze", the incident on the Latvian side was recorded by a camera mounted on the border guard's uniform. Upon seeing the white Lexus, the officer took a device to stop vehicles — the so-called "hedgehog", stood in front of the violator's car, warned that he would shoot, and demanded that the engine be turned off.
The driver remained at the wheel and shouted through the open window that he had been "deceived" in Russia. While the border guard was trying to set up the hedgehog, the driver maneuvered around him on the right and continued driving towards Ludza.
As reported by the State Border Guard, a search for the fugitive began, involving aviation and in cooperation with the State Police. Soon, the driver was apprehended in the Isnauda parish of the Ludza region.
It turned out that the fugitive is a Tajik named Dilshod, who holds citizenship of both Tajikistan and Russia, as well as a residence permit in Lithuania. He permanently resides in Lithuania and works as a truck driver on international routes across the European Union.
In court, Dilshod stated that he has four young children, a wife, and parents in Tajikistan, to whom he sends about 2000–2500 euros monthly. During the recent Ramadan, he traveled to his family in his electric Lexus. On the way back, just before reaching the Baltic states, he had to go through control on the Russian side, where problems arose.
At the border checkpoint, his identity attracted the attention of security personnel. Despite presenting his Tajik passport, they inquired if he had a Russian passport. The man confirmed that he did, but did not have it with him. The officers stated that the document must be with him and informed him of a fine. He was given several documents to sign, but he noticed that he was signing a contract to be sent to fight against Ukraine as part of the Russian army.
Realizing the situation, Dilshod caught the Russian border guards off guard and began fleeing towards Latvia in his vehicle. Even after crossing the border, he did not stop immediately, fearing that he might be sent back. However, he did not drive far — evidence was found on his smartphone indicating that he was searching for the address of the police station in Ludza. Upon seeing an oncoming police car, he signaled with his headlights, indicating that he was waiting for them.
Thus, in court, the man explained his actions as a matter of extreme necessity and the absence of other motives.
Despite prosecutor Liga Geduse requesting to find him guilty of intentional illegal border crossing using a vehicle and impose a sentence of four months imprisonment, Judge Vladimir Isaev of the Daugavpils court fully acquitted the man, writes "Latvijas Avīze". The verdict may still be appealed.
Leave a comment