The “Baltic Antifascists” project was created by Russian intelligence services, Marats Kasems, former editor-in-chief of Sputnik Lithuania, claimed in an interview on the LETA podcast “Kas tas vispār bija?! Aiz priekškara” (“What Was That?! Behind the Curtain”).
Kasems said that Telegram channels funded from Russia’s propaganda budget should be distinguished from “Baltic Antifascists”, which he described as a “pure intelligence services project”.
According to Kasems, the project was created at the request of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). He claimed that the project’s leader has publicly spoken about preparing reports for intelligence services and compiling lists of people considered disloyal to Russia so that, in the event of a potential occupation, these people could be “eliminated”.
Kasems acknowledged that he does not possess any public documents proving these alleged links. He said that he himself had been offered a position as an expert for the project but declined after learning about its possible ties to Russian intelligence services.
According to him, the project initially also considered producing content in Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian.
LETA has not independently verified Kasems’ claims regarding the project’s alleged links to Russian intelligence services.
Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) has identified various activities on the “Baltic Antifascists” Telegram channel that are directed against Latvia’s national security interests.
The channel consistently glorifies Russia, its political regime and foreign policy, as well as its aggression against Ukraine. It has published calls to carry out cyberattacks against Latvian government institutions and private-sector companies. Followers of the channel have also been encouraged to collect information about the infrastructure of the Latvian National Armed Forces and NATO allied forces in Latvia.
The channel also compiles information about Latvian state officials and other prominent public figures who, through their political and public activities, oppose Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to claims made on the channel, the information is intended to be passed on to Russian intelligence services and other institutions so that various measures can be taken against these individuals.
According to the VDD, the main objective of these activities is to influence public opinion and decision-making processes in Latvia in line with Russia’s interests by exerting psychological pressure on Latvian officials and society.
As previously reported, Latvian prosecutors imposed a EUR 15,500 fine on Kasems for assisting Russia in activities directed against Latvia. He admitted his guilt and paid the fine.
Kasems was initially detained in criminal proceedings concerning a suspected violation of EU sanctions, but the case was later reclassified as assistance to a foreign state in activities directed against Latvia.
Between 2017 and November 2022, the Latvian citizen provided intellectual and practical support to Russia for personal reasons and financial gain.
The accused was aware that one of Russia’s objectives was to strengthen and expand its influence in the Baltic States and other European Union countries, including through activities directed against Latvia’s national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, state authority, constitutional order and national security as a whole.
The accused fully accepted the scope and legal classification of the criminal offence with which he was charged, admitted his guilt and expressed remorse.
Following the ruling, a public debate emerged over whether the punishment imposed on Kasems, a pro-Kremlin activist and editor of the Russian media outlet Sputnik Lithuania, was adequate. After the prosecutor’s decision was made public, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs stated that “several recent decisions by the Prosecutor’s Office raise a number of questions”.
The Judicial Council subsequently announced that it would review the existing sentencing policy in corruption and national security cases.
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