Latvian lawmaker Harijs Rokpelnis stated that former MEP Andrejs Mamikins will face arrest if he leaves Russia, with ongoing debates about the implications of revoking his citizenship.
In a recent statement, Harijs Rokpelnis, leader of the Green and Farmers' Union faction in Latvia’s parliament (Saeima), discussed the legal implications surrounding the potential revocation of citizenship from former European Parliament member Andrejs Mamikins. Rokpelnis characterized Mamikins as an 'anti-state element' and highlighted that law enforcement authorities have already placed Mamikins on an international wanted list. He indicated that once Mamikins leaves Russia, he is expected to be apprehended immediately due to the outstanding sanctions against him.
Rokpelnis elaborated on the nuances of Latvian law concerning citizenship revocation, stating that it could not be easily rescinded if Latvian citizenship is the only nationality Mamikins holds. He raised concerns about whether removing Mamikins' citizenship would undermine the existing sanctions that have been initiated against him due to his alleged anti-state activities. This situation brings forward the complicated intersection of legal statutes and national security considerations in Latvia.
The comments come in light of social media posts by Ainārs Šlesers, Chairman of the political party 'Latvia First,' advocating for the legislative body to strip Mamikins of his citizenship. A video clip shared by Šlesers featured Mamikins appearing on the Russian television channel 'Rossiya 1', further intensifying the debate around Mamikins' actions and their implications for national security and international relations.
