Latvia My Let Border Guards Investigate Their Own

Latvia’s State Border Guard could gain broader powers to use weapons while also investigating alleged violent offenses by its own officers under proposals advanced on October 28.

A parliamentary committee endorsed amendments covering the protection of border infrastructure and the handling of suspected misconduct. The proposals still require approval by the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament.

The committee wants an urgent procedure allowing both readings on October 29.

Wider Powers to Protect the Border

The proposed changes would explicitly authorize force to repel attacks on border infrastructure and facilities protected by the State Border Guard. Officers could use firearms without warning when giving a warning is impossible.

If the use of a weapon causes injury or death, the service would have to notify prosecutors immediately, and within 24 hours at the latest.

Raimonds Bergmanis, chairman of parliament’s defense committee, presented the changes as a response to hybrid attacks on Latvia’s external border. The committee says existing legislation does not expressly cover the protection of these facilities.

Prosecutor Challenges Internal Investigations

A separate amendment would allow the border service to investigate alleged offenses by its own officers during a reinforced border-protection regime.

Supporters argue that internal investigations could resolve cases faster and reduce disruption to border operations, according to Latvian public broadcaster LSM.

However, Kaspars Andruškins, a prosecutor in the Prosecutor General’s Office, warned that the arrangement would undermine the independence required when investigating suspected official violence.

Such cases are currently handled by the Internal Security Bureau, a separate investigative body. A Foreign Ministry representative also warned that insufficiently independent investigations could expose Latvia to challenges before the European Court of Human Rights.

An earlier proposal for immunity from criminal liability has been removed, LSM reported. The prosecutor general would retain authority to transfer an investigation to another agency.