Punishments for crimes against the state will be harsher in Latvia, according to amendments to the Criminal Law adopted by the Saeima on Thursday, December 14, in the third – final – reading, originally submitted by President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Ednews informs via Latvian Public Broadcasting.

The authors of the bill pointed out that the war in Ukraine has a direct negative impact on Latvia's national security. The rules contained in the Criminal Law must therefore be appropriate to the present threat and must not be disproportionately weak concerning potential harm to national and public interests.

Temporary deprivation of liberty and community service will no longer be applied for forming an organized group with the aim of carrying out an anti-Latvia activity. Amendments to the Law provide that such criminal offense is to be punishable by imprisonment of up to 8 years instead of the 5 years determined so far, with or without confiscation of property.

However, if the criminal offense has been committed by a public official, a responsible employee of an undertaking or organization, he or she could be imprisoned for a period of between 2 and 10 years, with or without confiscation of property.

For assistance to a foreigner, a foreign organization or a foreign state in an activity directed against Latvia, deprivation of liberty from one year to 10 years (previously – up to 5 years) will be applied, with or without confiscation of property. Such an offense will also no longer be punishable by temporary imprisonment, community service or a fine. If assistance to a foreign state has been provided by a group of persons, an official, or a responsible employee of an undertaking or organization, the perpetrator may be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of three to 20 years with or without confiscation of property.

The responsibility for espionage has also been reinforced by imposing a minimum custodial sentence of one year, as well as by providing for the possibility to impose an additional punishment – confiscation of property. The organization or conduct of espionage will be punishable by life imprisonment, imprisonment of between 8 and 20 years with or without confiscation of property, and probation supervision of up to three years.

A new article has also been added to the criminal law, providing for liability in the event of a person violating the prohibition on organizing or conducting training or participation in military tactical tasks. It will be punishable by imprisonment of up to 5 years, temporary deprivation of liberty, probation supervision, or a fine.

If a person provides a deliberately false statement regarding the placement of an explosive, poisonous, radioactive, or bacteriological substance, material or explosive device in an institution, undertaking or other object, such false statement will be directed against two or more objects, a term of imprisonment of up to 4 years, temporary deprivation of liberty, probation supervision, or fine may be imposed.