According to Deutsche Welle, the Saeima of Latvia has expanded restrictions for citizens of Russia and Belarus. This includes employees of railways, municipal companies, and hospitals. Among them was Navalny's doctor.
According to Deutsche Welle, the Saeima of Latvia has expanded restrictions for citizens of Russia and Belarus. This includes employees of railways, municipal companies, and hospitals. Among them was Navalny's doctor.
Alexey Navalny's resuscitator Alexander Polupan lost his job in Latvia. The doctor stated in a DW video report about discrimination. Six years ago, Polupan treated Navalny in Omsk and insisted on the urgent transportation of the patient to Germany.
In 2023, Polupan emigrated to Latvia due to his disagreement with the war in Ukraine. The medic reported that over these years he confirmed his medical license, learned Latvian to C1 level, and received a job offer.
However, recently the Saeima of Latvia introduced a new restriction that prohibits citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus from working in critical infrastructure facilities. For example, in railways or municipal companies.
The ban also applies to all major state hospitals that have intensive care units. Dozens of people lost their jobs, including Polupan.
According to Latvian political scientist Arturs Bykov, there is still a loophole in the law.
"The State Security Service retains the possibility to allow employees of the same medical institutions to continue working," he says.
According to Bykov, the Daugavpils Hospital has appealed to the State Security Service to reconsider the decision regarding some medics.
As stated in the DW video report, exceptions can formally be made for high-class specialists; however, according to Polupan, in his case, it was deemed that there were no grounds for such exceptions. Now he is learning German and preparing to move to another EU country.
"I feel some disappointment. If I had known in advance that there would be such conditions, I would not have spent three years of my life learning the language and getting certified here. I could have spent that time learning German," said Polupan. "Naturally, I believe this law is discriminatory. It does not align with the principles of democracy and the European Union."
"The authorities of Latvia think otherwise - this is a matter of national security, so such decisions are justified," notes DW.
Leave a comment