The Latvian State Security Service evaluates various risk factors, including travel to aggressor countries and the spread of propaganda, when granting access to state secrets.
The State Security Service of Latvia (VDD) has reported on its assessment of mayors and their deputies regarding their suitability for receiving access to state secrets. In its 2025 report, VDD noted that risk factors influencing this assessment include travels to aggressor nations and involvement in projects disseminating propaganda messages. These elements are significant as they can indicate potential threats to national security related to the officials' ties with hostile states.
In numerous cases, the VDD had to extend the examination period due to the broad scope of information needing verification and the significant volume of additional information considered vital for assessing potential risks. The extension reflects the agency's thorough approach to scrutinizing public officials and ensuring national safety amidst declining relations with countries like Russia and Belarus, which are often characterized as aggressors.
Some of the most frequently cited risk factors by the security service include travel to Russia or Belarus, having relatives or contacts in these countries, involvement in previous cross-border cooperation projects with them, and sharing messages aligned with Kremlin propaganda. The report does not specify whether any of these risk factors led to the denial of access, leaving some aspects of the evaluation process undisclosed to the public, yet emphasizing the vigilance required in reviewing officials' backgrounds for national security reasons.
