Attorney General Armins Meisters announced a 19% increase in particularly serious crimes in Latvia during a hearing of the Saeima's Defense, Internal Affairs, and Corruption Prevention Committee. This increase primarily consists of property crimes resulting in significant losses and violent crimes against minors. The report discussed the activities of the prosecution in the previous year and outlined priorities for 2026.

Meisters explained that ensuring quality in the execution of criminal proceedings is a priority for this year. The report indicated a continued decrease in the number of criminal proceedings under prosecutors' supervision, decreasing by 0.94% in 2025 compared to 2024, and by 5.09% compared to 2023. Prosecutors are actively exercising the option to terminate criminal proceedings when there is insufficient basis for their continuation, with 11,719 criminal cases closed in 2025, down from 13,462 in 2024.

This significant rise in serious crimes raises concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the legal system in Latvia. The report suggests that more focus may need to be placed on proactive measures to combat crime and protect vulnerable populations, particularly minors, from violent offenses. Policymakers and legal authorities may need to reassess their strategies to tackle this upward trend in serious criminal activity effectively.