Latvia bars entry to the father of PM candidate Jūlija Stepaņenko after The Insider’s report on his business with the Russian military
Latvia has banned Russian businessman Sergei Fedotov from entering the country following reports that his company manufactured military barriers for the Russian army. Fedotov is the father of Latvian prime ministerial candidate Jūlija Stepaņenko, who has received significant financial gifts from him.
Why it matters
The incident highlights potential national security concerns and political controversies regarding ties between political candidates and foreign entities involved in the Ukraine conflict.
Following a report from The Insider , Latvia has placed Russian businessman Sergei Fedotov on its list of undesirable persons and banned him from entering the country indefinitely. Fedotov’s daughter, Jūlija Stepaņenko, is running to be prime minister in Latvia’s Oct. 3 elections as a member of the Sovereign Power/Young Latvians alliance, which is currently running second in the polls. On Sept. 24, The Insider broke the story that Fedotov’s company manufactured anti-tank “dragon’s teeth” barriers for the Russian army after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The decision to place Fedotov on the persona non grata list under Latvia’s immigration law was announced by Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, who chose not to publicize the reasons for the decision.
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