The Latvian State Security Service has opened criminal proceedings against MEP Tatiana Zhdanok on suspicions tied to potential collaboration with Russia, according to reports from the LETA news agency. The agency confirmed that the investigation was initiated on February 22, but did not share further details about the case.
Tatiana Zhdanok, also referenced as Tatjana Zhdanoka, was born in Riga and is of Russian descent. She has been a prominent political figure in Latvia for decades, notably as a co-leader of the Russian Union of Latvia. In the 1980s she played a role in the movement to keep Latvia within the Soviet Union, and in the years that followed her political activities found resonance with the Russian-speaking segment of Latvia’s population. In 2004 she joined the European Parliament, aligning with the Greens – European Free Alliance group.
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Investigative work by The Insider, an independent Russian project, along with the Latvian outlet Re:Baltica, the Estonian news portal Delfi, and the Swedish newspaper Expressen, indicates that Zhdanok has been under scrutiny by representatives of the Russian Federal Security Service since at least 2004. The 74-year-old politician has denied any cooperation with Russian security agencies.
In response to these developments, the European Parliament expressed concern over reports of possible cooperation between the MEP and Russian services. Members of the Parliament have noted that Moscow has used some parliamentarians as agents of influence, a characterization that underscores ongoing worries about foreign interference in EU institutions.
The discussions surrounding Zhdanok come amid broader questions about the influence dynamics in the European Union, particularly about how state actors may seek to shape policy outcomes through individuals elected to transnational bodies. Observers emphasize the importance of clear, verifiable information and due process in such cases, while also acknowledging the potential impact on public trust in European institutions.
As investigations proceed, commentators and analysts stress the need for transparency around the evidence and the legal standards applied by national authorities and EU bodies. The case highlights enduring tensions between security interests, political accountability, and the rights of individuals who operate within the European political framework.
Experts remind readers that the European Parliament is tasked with balancing the integrity of its members with the right to fair consideration of any allegations. While the public awaits further disclosures, the incident underscores the ongoing vigilance of European institutions against perceived foreign interference and the complex ways in which intelligence information can intersect with democratic processes.
Authorities emphasize that no final judgments should be inferred from early announcements, and any proceedings must follow proper legal procedures. The unfolding situation illustrates how national security concerns and European-level governance can converge, prompting careful scrutiny of both evidence and procedural fairness as the case develops.
Source material in this report draws on multiple journalistic investigations and official statements, with attribution to the respective outlets that conducted the initial inquiries and to the agencies responsible for formal updates. Readers are invited to consult the cited sources for additional context and to monitor subsequent official communications as the case progresses, keeping in mind the presumption of innocence that underpins legal processes.