The faction of the "Progressives" party in the Saeima sent a letter to Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) and Minister of the Interior Richard Kozlovskis (New Unity) demanding detailed information about the circumstances of obtaining Latvian citizenship by Petr Aven, the party reported, LETA writes.
The political force is also interested in whether and how the basis provided in paragraph 5 of the first part of Article 24 of the Citizenship Law was assessed in this process for the deprivation of Aven's Latvian citizenship.
The "Progressives" emphasize that the retention of citizenship status for a person whose citizenship legality is in doubt — especially in connection with possible cooperation with Russian authorities — poses a serious risk to the national security of Latvia in the current geopolitical situation.
In a letter signed by the faction leader Andris Šuvajevs, it is highlighted that doubts about the legality of Aven's citizenship status have existed in Latvian society for several years: whether it was originally obtained lawfully and whether there are now grounds for its deprivation, considering the support provided to the aggressor — Russia, and the possibility that he may continue to provide such support — through his economic resources or otherwise.
According to the party, the current situation raises suspicions, firstly, of possible corruption among officials who granted citizenship, as well as the inability to subsequently identify and rectify illegal decisions made as a result of corrupt actions. Secondly, it creates a prolonged and general threat to the security of Latvia, which state security services are unable to detect. Therefore, the party emphasizes that it is important to establish all legal and factual circumstances — whether Aven has the right to retain Latvian citizenship — and to openly clarify this to the public.
The National Alliance has also made a similar call.
LETA reported back in February 2023 that the Latvian state security services were assessing whether there were grounds for the deprivation of citizenship of the Russian billionaire Aven, which was then confirmed by the Ministry of the Interior.
This issue became particularly relevant after the start of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
In the spring of 2024, the director of the Satversme Protection Bureau (SPB) Egils Zvidris stated on the TV3 program "900 Seconds" that when considering the issue of Aven's possible deprivation of citizenship, the SPB is awaiting information from Ukrainian partners. This week, in response to a request from LETA, the bureau stated that it does not publish information about its communication and data exchange with Latvian or international institutions.
According to the Citizenship Law, if the State Security Service gathers information and legally verifiable facts, it will refer the matter to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, which will assess the possibility of further advancing this issue.
"If the SPB has information that is permitted for disclosure, the bureau will make it public," the security service under the Cabinet of Ministers stated.
Aven received Latvian citizenship in 2016. In 2012, he was awarded the Order of the Three Stars. After the start of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Orders Chapter decided to revoke his award. Shortly thereafter, the Senate of the University of Latvia also decided to strip Aven of his honorary doctorate title.
The billionaire's grandfather was a Latvian shooter who remained in Russia after the Civil War.
In 2023, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Citizenship Law, providing for the possibility of depriving Latvian citizenship from individuals who, in particular, have provided significant support to the war waged by Russia in Ukraine.
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