Latvian State Security Service investigates parliament member for inciting ethnic hatred after heated defense of Russian speakers
Latvia’s State Security Service has opened an investigation into Member of Parliament Alexey Roslikov on suspicion of inciting ethnic tensions and “assisting” Russia in actions against Latvia. The agency informed local media outlets that its officers have held multiple “cautionary talks” with Roslikov regarding his public statements and warned him about potential legal repercussions.
On June 5, speaking from the Saeima’s floor, Roslikov criticized a draft declaration on “redressing the legacy of Russification.” The measure would establish the Latvian state’s duty to remedy the effects of Russification policies, which advocates say still erode the standing of the Latvian language. The declaration also included proposals for restricting the use of Russian in public spaces.
Opposing the inclusion of the declaration on the parliament's agenda, Roslikov argued that “Russian speakers stood on the barricades together with Latvians.” Before finishing his remarks, Roslikov switched from Latvian to Russian, said, “There are more of us, and Russian is our language!” and made a rude gesture to the other deputies as he left the podium. He was subsequently expelled from the chamber.
Latvian lawmakers ultimately chose not to endorse the declaration, instead referring it to the parliament’s Education, Culture, and Science Committee.
Alexey Roslikov heads Latvia’s “Stability!” party, which won roughly 7 percent of the vote in the 2022 parliamentary elections. The party won a similar share of the vote in the June 7, 2025, Riga City Council elections. Stability! is known for courting Russian-speaking voters and is widely viewed as populist.
In late 2024, when asked about Crimea’s status, Roslikov said: “Until 2014, it was an integral part of Ukraine. Today, it is Russia. [...] As a Latvian, I don’t give a damn about what happens in the world. I'm interested in Latvia. I don’t support either side because all participants are to blame for what's happening there.”