Latvian Parliament Considers Revoking Citizenship of Former MEP Andrejs Mamikins

The Latvian Saeima (parliament) is evaluating a draft decision to revoke the citizenship of Andrejs Mamikins, a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP). The proposal, submitted by the opposition party “Latvija pirmajā vietā” (LPV), stems from Mamikins’ public statements on Russian state television calling for military action against the Baltic states.

Allegations and the Basis for Revocation

According to LPV, Mamikins, even as appearing on the Russian television channel “Rossija 1,” publicly called for Russia to bomb the Baltic states and kill their inhabitants. LPV argues that these statements constitute incitement to war and a grave violation of international law. The draft decision cites the deliberate killing of civilians in armed conflict as a war crime under international humanitarian law, referencing the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.

Political Reactions and Debate

The proposal has sparked debate within the Saeima. Edvards Smiltēns, a member of the AS faction, questioned the necessity of revoking citizenship given ongoing criminal proceedings against Mamikins, suggesting authorities could wait for his Latvian passport to expire and detain him at the border. He characterized such a move as preventing “such opportunists” from avoiding responsibility. Smiltēns also indicated that further proposals regarding other individuals might follow.

Edmunds Jurēvics, head of the “Jaunā Vienotība” parliamentary group, views the initiative as a distraction from the inclusion of pro-Russian politicians within LPV. Though, he affirmed that Mamikins violated Latvian Criminal Law by calling for the destruction of Latvia’s sovereignty and its citizens, stating his belief that Mamikins should be imprisoned.

Harijs Rokpelnis, leader of the ZZS faction, suggested that focusing a Saeima draft decision on a single individual grants undue prominence, but acknowledged the committee’s basis to evaluate the proposal. Andris Šuvajevs, leader of the Progresīvie faction, stated that Mamikins should not hold Latvian citizenship, citing actions against the Latvian state and its sovereignty.

Legal Framework and Criminal Proceedings

Amendments to the Latvian Citizenship Law, adopted in April 2022, allow for the revocation of citizenship from individuals who have provided substantial support to states or persons involved in acts such as genocide, war crimes, or undermining the sovereignty of democratic states, provided the individual does not develop into stateless as a result.

Mamikins is currently subject to a European Arrest Warrant issued in June 2024, related to accusations of glorifying and justifying war crimes committed in Ukraine. Criminal proceedings were initiated by the State Security Service (VDD) on September 29, 2023, under Section 74.1 of the Criminal Law, concerning justification of genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes against peace, and war crimes, based on statements made in Russian media and on social media. Specifically, during a 2023 broadcast on “Evening with Vladimir Solovyov” on Rossiya 1, Mamikins stated that Russia was carrying out a “great and sacred mission in Ukraine.” The maximum penalty for this offense under Latvian law is five years imprisonment.

Background on Andrejs Mamikins

Born in 1976, Mamikins holds a master’s degree in philology from the University of Latvia and previously worked in journalism. He was elected to the European Parliament in 2014 representing the Social Democratic party Saskaņa, but failed to secure a seat in the 2018 parliamentary elections while running on the Latvian Russian Union list. He briefly held a position at the State Labour Inspectorate in 2021, but his employment was terminated during his probationary period.