Latvia moves to expel Russian journalist who used to work for BBC
Leonid Ragozin made remarks widely interpreted as making excuses for the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine and hybrid attacks in Europe.
Latvia has initiated the process of expelling a Russian journalist, Leonid Ragozin, who has resided in the country for over a decade. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže announced this decision following discussions with the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister, citing "information received today from the competent authorities." Ragozin, who once worked for the BBC, Bloomberg, and POLITICO, recently claimed that Russia would respond to Western "provocation" with "brute force," a statement that incited anger in Latvia.
The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are closely watching Russia's actions, as the Kremlin's aggression looms over Eastern Europe. Latvian Minister of the Interior Jānis Dombrava accused Ragozin of serving "Russian interests" and said his continued presence in Latvia is untenable. Latvia has been the only EU member state to oppose lifting sanctions on Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov. Ragozin has not yet responded to inquiries about the matter.
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