{
  "id": 5531663,
  "title": "Latvia’s State Security Service searches Mnogoknig, a bookstore chain that sells Russian-language books",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/latvias-state-security-service-searches-mnogoknig-a-bookstore-chain",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T08:59:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Meduza (English)",
    "slug": "meduza-english",
    "url": "https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/09/04/latvia-s-state-security-service-searches-mnogoknig-a-bookstore-chain-that-sells-russian-language-books"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 3, Latvia's State Security Service (VDD) conducted searches at four locations of the Mnogoknig bookstore chain. The largest store, located on Augusta Deglava Street in Riga, was among the ones targeted. The store was closed to customers, with a sign indicating it was shut \"for technical reasons.\"\n\nThe VDD informed the news agency Delfi that the searches were carried out \"as part of a criminal case opened on July 28 this year on suspicion of violating EU sanctions.\" However, the VDD did not provide further details about the case, citing the interests of the investigation.\n\nMnogoknig specializes in selling Russian-language literature. Latvia imposed a ban on importing certain goods from Russia and Belarus for sale in the country on September 1, which includes books, newspapers, and other printed materials, among other items.",
  "summary": "Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) searched four locations of the Mnogoknig bookstore chain on the afternoon of September 3.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}