Aleksejs Rosļikovs, a former member of the Riga City Council who is currently in Belarus, plans to return to Latvia on 4 October to resume political activities with the party Stabilitātei! (For Stability!). Svetlana Čulkova, the party’s board chairwoman, confirmed the return date to the LETA news agency, noting that Rosļikovs is positioned second on the party’s candidate list for the upcoming 15th Saeima parliamentary election.
Legal Status and Pending Criminal Charges
The return of Rosļikovs follows significant legal developments in Latvia. According to the Riga City Court in the Latgale District, a pre-trial security measure has been amended to order his detention. The court also declared him wanted and suspended legal proceedings in a criminal case where he is charged with inciting national and ethnic hatred. Prosecutor Kaspars Andruškins requested the detention order after Rosļikovs left for Belarus.
Rosļikovs has publicly acknowledged his presence in Belarus, stating he did not return to Latvia due to fears for his life. He claimed to have received telephone threats from individuals who threatened to “cut off his head.” He also stated that he declined an offer from the State Security Service (VDD) to reside in a safe house for six months, citing a desire to avoid waiting for threats to be carried out. Rosļikovs maintains that the criminal case against him is politically motivated.
Did You Know? At the end of May, the Riga City Council revoked the council mandate of Aleksejs Rosļikovs after he failed to attend more than half of the council meetings over a three-month period.
Political Context for the 15th Saeima Election
The party Stabilitātei! (For Stability!) is currently adjusting to recent internal changes. Earlier this year, the party’s parliamentary faction dissolved after lawmakers Dmitrijs Kovoļenko, Iļja Ivanovs, Igors Judins, and Amils Saļimovs left the party, causing it to fall below the five-member requirement for a faction. Čulkova stated that the remaining four lawmakers continue their work in parliament as independent deputies.
Despite these departures, the party remains focused on the 15th Saeima election. When asked if Rosļikovs would return if the party failed to secure the required 5% of the vote, Čulkova did not provide a direct answer, stating the party does not consider such an outcome possible. The party’s lead candidates for the election include Svetlana Čulkova, Pāvels Kuzmins, Natālija Marčenko-Jodko, Ludmila Rjazanova, and Igors Orlovs.
Future Developments
Rosļikovs has described the upcoming election as “the beginning of a new stage” rather than a finish line. He stated that his return on 4 October is intended to allow him to continue working for the party’s voters. According to the party, the priority remains active engagement with residents and the implementation of their programme, regardless of the election results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Aleksejs Rosļikovs currently in Belarus?
Rosļikovs stated he left for Belarus and did not return to Latvia because he feared for his life, alleging he received threats from individuals who threatened to “cut off his head.”
What are the legal charges against Rosļikovs?
He is charged with inciting national and ethnic hatred. He maintains that the case is politically motivated.
What is the status of the Stabilitātei! (For Stability!) parliamentary faction?
The faction dissolved earlier this year after four members left the party, causing it to fall below the minimum threshold of five deputies. The remaining lawmakers now serve as independent deputies.
How do you interpret the impact of pending criminal proceedings on the political platform of a candidate campaigning from abroad?