Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

According to Firmas.lv business database, Latvian national Solodovs owns a 50% stake in the company, while the other half belongs to Russian national Aleksey Plyasunov.

Solodovs has been the board chairman of Baltijas Mediju Alianse since its foundation in 2007. Plyasunov is also on the board.

As reported, on suspicion of violating international sanctions, the State Security Service (VDD) has conducted a number of searches in Riga and Tallinn.

The searches were made in a criminal procedure launched on December 19, 2019, on part 3 of Section 84 of the Criminal Law on violation of sanctions imposed by international organizations committed by a group of persons according to a prior agreement.

As VDD reports, in cooperation with the Estonian Security Police, a number of searches were conducted in sites linked with suspects in Riga, the vicinity and Tallinn, obtaining a large number of documents and data carriers.

"Information obtained during investigation suggests that a group of persons, according to a prior agreement, ensured that a person, against whom EU sanctions were imposed for activities against Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, has access to large-scale financial resources," VDD said in its statement.

At present, there are two suspects in the case. Restrictions that do not include deprivation of liberty are imposed on them. Criminal proceedings have also been launched against several others.

VDD declined to give more detailed information, citing the necessity to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Latvian Television reported that the Latvian State Security Service (VDD) carried out searches last night at the offices of the Baltijas Mediju Alianse media group on Gertrudes Street in Riga.

SIA Baltijas Mediju Allianse includes PBK television channel and its music channel, the advertising agency Baltijas Mediju Reklama, the advertising and media agency Ren TV Baltic, TV channel distributor Tem LV and publishing house Print Media, as well as the MK Latvija and MK Estonija newspapers and their Internet versions.