The staff of the Russian Embassy in Latvia called on the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe and other international organizations to draw attention to the “merciless Themis” in the media. A message with a commentary on the verdict to the Russian-speaking journalist Yuri Alekseev was published by the diplomatic department in Facebook…
The appeal states that the accusations of inciting ethnic hatred, put forward in Alekseev’s relations, are far-fetched, and the verdict itself is politically motivated.
“The Latvian Themis continues a merciless attack on any manifestation of dissent, emasculating the sprouts of freedom and thoroughly eradicating an alien worldview,” the diplomats noted and asked the international community to respond to the “uncleanliness” of Riga’s state structures.
On October 29, Riga’s Pardaugava court sentenced Russian-speaking journalist Yuri Alekseev to a year and two months in prison. Alekseev was found guilty under the articles “inciting ethnic hatred”, “illegal possession of ammunition” and “distribution of child pornography.” The journalist himself categorically denies these and considers them absurd.
Alekseev also said that the Latvian authorities are conducting a campaign of intimidation against Russian-speaking journalists who do not obey their instructions.