The 82-year-old chairman of the Latvian-Russian Association was expelled from Latvia

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called Katkov’s deportation a “provocative” action, the purpose of which was “to intimidate the Russian-speaking residents of Latvia.”

The head of the Latvian-Russian Cooperation Association, Boris Katkov, who is a citizen of the Russian Federation, was expelled from Latvia, LSM reports.

At the initiative of the State Security Service (VDD), Latvian Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis added Katkov to the list of undesirable persons in the country “for many years of systematic activity in favor of Russia.” Katkov was subsequently expelled from the country.

According to Katkov, on January 10 he received a letter signed by the Latvian Minister of Internal Affairs stating that he was a threat to national security and would be deported. On the morning of January 12, border guards went to the 82-year-old man, gave him an hour for a meeting, and escorted him to the border. That night, Katkov crossed the Russian border at the Terekhovo/Burachki checkpoint in the Pskov region.

According to information from open sources, Boris Katkov arrived in Latvia in 1966. First he worked in the military commissariat in the city of Cesis, then in Daugavpils. He retired with the rank of colonel in 1991.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, called Katkov’s deportation a “provocative” action, the purpose of which was “to intimidate the Russian-speaking residents of Latvia.” The Russian Embassy in Latvia described Latvia’s actions as “absolutely inhumane” for “violating the principle of non-separation of the family” (Katkov has a wife, children and grandchildren in Latvia).

Let’s remember that Latvia planned to take ownership of the House of Moscow in Riga, and the funds will be transferred to Ukraine. The corresponding law is adopted by the country’s Seimas.