Sri Lankan citizens detained for helping illegal border crossing in Latvia

On Wednesday, May 8, five Sri Lankan citizens were detained for transporting persons crossing the country’s border illegally, the State Border Guard said in a statement.

The Latvian Public Broadcaster, LSM, reported border guards in Augšdaugava municipality stopped a Peugeot 307 car driven by a Sri Lankan citizen, while another Sri Lankan citizen was next to him, both with valid residence permits.

But during the check, six people of Asian descent, without travel documents, visas, or residence permits, were also found in the car’s salon,

Also in Augšdaugava municipality, border guards apprehended three other Sri Lankan citizens who were travelling in a Volkswagen Polo on suspicion of providing support to persons illegally crossing the border.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the Sri Lankan citizens for knowingly providing a person with the possibility to reside illegally in Latvia in an organized group. The penalty may include a term of imprisonment of between two and eight years.