The Latvian authorities are keen on using every chance they get to display their opposition to Russia. Recently, the country’s parliament banned the Russian language in all ATMs nationwide, while the Foreign Ministry labeled Russian standup comedian Maria Markova an “undesirable person.” However, none of these measures have affected multiple true friends of the Kremlin, who continue to quietly hold major Latvian assets. The Insider has uncovered how sanctioned oligarchs still conduct business in Latvia through proxies, while Russians who openly support Putin’s policies maintain personal property in the country. Moreover, despite efforts to curb Russia’s influence, Latvia remains home to a successful Gazprom subsidiary — and to Russian military contractors, who continue to develop their Latvian businesses. A second homeland for the Rotenberg brothers A data leak disclosing information about individuals with dual citizenships and foreign residence permits has helped The Insider uncover the fact that the family of Elena Ruziak — chief manager of the Rotenberg family’s foreign assets held under proxy names — possesses Latvian documents. The Ruziak family’s Latvian ties come as no surprise: for some of Putin’s closest oligarchs, Latvia has become a second home. The Rotenbergs have even married Latvian citizens. A previous investigation indicated that Arkady Rotenberg, one of Vladimir Putin’s key “wallets” — trusted individuals who mask ownership of assets and accounts that, in fact, are controlled by the Russian president — registered part of his property under the name of Latvian citizen Marija Borodunova. (…) Latvia’s commercial register reveals that Russian state energy giant Gazprom holds a 34% stake in AS Latvijas Gāze — a natural gas company dealing with the importation and sale of natural gas, with clients in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Finland. The firm’s official website proudly states: “In the household segment, AS «Latvijas Gāze» is the largest and most important natural gas trader in Latvia.”
via the insider: “Canned goods” from Riga: Russia’s elites, oligarchs, and military contractors are quietly dodging sanctions in Latvia