Police Complete Probe and Seek Charges Against 11 Members of Armed Gang Over Riga Kidnapping

The State Police of Latvia have completed an investigation into an armed organised criminal group whose members are suspected of kidnapping a man in central Riga on 25 March this year. On 8 October the case file was sent to the prosecutor's office, with police proposing that criminal prosecution be launched against 11 people. Prosecutors will now decide whether, and to what extent, to bring charges.

How the abduction unfolded

According to police, four gang members arrived at the man's home in central Riga, seized him and put him in a car. Two of the criminals drove the victim away, while two others drove off in a vehicle belonging to him. Police detained all four and freed the victim. Three more accomplices were detained later. Several members of the group were already in prison, serving sentences for earlier crimes.

Other offences identified

The investigation also gathered evidence of threats, deliberate destruction of a vehicle by fire, and illegal purchase and possession of narcotics, including in large quantities. Police also established an offence involving the keeping of prohibited means of communication in a prison. The gang was armed, with firearms and ammunition at its disposal, and one member held forged identity documents. Searches carried out by police produced significant evidence.

Legal classification

Earlier criminal proceedings have been merged into one. They fall under Section 224, Part 2 of the Criminal Law (participation in or leadership of a gang's crimes, punishable by three to fifteen years in prison), as well as Sections 281, 132, 309 and 253. These cover concealing identity or using forged documents, threats, bringing prohibited items into a place of detention, and narcotics offences. Under Section 253, Part 2, drug offences carry a prison term of three to ten years.

Five people have been remanded in custody. Police stressed that no one is considered guilty until guilt has been proven in the manner prescribed by law. Police are currently unable to provide further details on the circumstances and motives of the crimes.