Latvia adds unnamed Russian citizen to persona non grata list amid journalist controversy
Latvia’s Foreign Ministry announced on October 7 that a Russian citizen was placed on its persona non grata list, a move widely believed to target journalist Leonid Ragozin, though officials have not confirmed his identity.
On October 7, Latvia’s Foreign Ministry said it had placed a Russian citizen on its list of persons whose presence in the country is undesirable, but it did not disclose the person’s identity. Press outlets have linked the action to journalist Leonid Ragozin, who has lived in Latvia for more than a decade and writes for Western media. Ragozin has been the target of criticism from officials such as Defense Minister Artis Pabriks and Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava, who accused him of supporting Russian aggression.
He previously co-authored investigations into ties between Latvia’s National Alliance party and far-right groups, prompting threats of deportation in 2019. Ragozin, who is currently abroad, says he cannot safely return because he could face deportation to Russia. The move occurs weeks before parliamentary elections and follows a broader pattern of Latvia designating over 150 Russian individuals, including propagandists, as undesirable.
Why it matters
The case highlights tensions between Latvia’s security policies and press freedom for exiled journalists.
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