Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) carried out investigative actions at four premises in and around Riga linked to the Mnogoknig bookshop chain, which mainly sells books in Russian. The case concerns a possible breach of EU sanctions.
This is reported by Latvia’s public broadcaster LSM, citing the VDD.
According to the Latvian security service, the investigative actions took place on 3 September and during the night of 3–4 September at four premises linked to the Mnogoknig chain.
The VDD opened criminal proceedings on 28 July on suspicion of a possible breach of sanctions imposed by the European Union.
During the investigation, one person was detained. A preventive measure was imposed in the form of remand in custody.
No further details of the case have yet been disclosed by Latvia’s State Security Service.
The VDD separately stressed that the criminal proceedings are not connected to the new restrictions on the import into Latvia of books, newspapers and other printed products from Russia and Belarus. These restrictions came into force on 1 September. Oversight of the import of such products is carried out by the customs and tax authorities.
According to the Latvian company register Firmas.lv, the owner of SIA Mnogoknig is Aleksandrs Karabelnikovs.
In 2025, the company’s turnover exceeded €613,000, and profit was about €9,700.