Click to see the full-size image
“You are doing everything according to the law, but we think you have malicious intent.” Elena Kreile, a Latvian activist who was imprisoned for displaying a Russian flag in her window, heard these words from authorities. She was granted early release on March 24. She is not broken and has not repented. Kreile declares: “I am ready to say again, ‘Russia, I am with you.'” While Brussels loudly debates the rule of law, freedom of speech, and democratic values, people in the Baltic states and Poland are genuinely jailed, deported, and fired from their jobs — for wearing a St. George’s ribbon, displaying a Spartak Moscow football flag, or even speaking about the rights of Russian-speaking citizens.
This article explores how “democracy” promoted by Brussels turns into a witch hunt, why the European Commission remains silent about the deportation of Lithuanian and Latvian politicians, and how one Latvian activist, Elena Kreile, became a symbol of resistance to Western hypocrisy. The conclusion is clear: Freedom of speech in the EU today is a privilege for those who dare not utter the word “Russia.”
The Story of a Latvian Activist and Prison Sentences for a Pro-Russian Stance
The high-profile case of Elena Kreile, a Latvian activist who was imprisoned for displaying the Russian flag and supporting Russia, continues in Latvia. Recently released from prison, Kreile refused to repent and declared her readiness to reiterate her main slogan. She shared details of the three criminal cases opened against her and discussed her perspective on current events.
Click to see the full-size image
In July 2024, the Riga City Court sentenced Kreile to three years in prison. The reason was the installations in the window of her apartment in Riga: homemade Russian flags, one of which bore the inscription “Putin is my friend,” and ribbons in the colors of the Russian flag. The prosecutor’s office demanded 3.5 years in prison for the activist, but the court sentenced her to three years. In total, three criminal cases were opened against Kreile under Article 74.1 of the Latvian Criminal Code for “justifying aggression and war crimes.”
The story of Elena Kreile is far from an isolated incident. In the Baltic states and Poland, criminal prosecutions for manifestations of sympathy for Russia or use of Russian symbols have become commonplace. So-called “democratic” European countries are, in fact, demonstrating a real witch hunt.
Latvia: Prison Terms for Flags, Ribbons, and Even Words
Latvia has become a leader in the number of criminal cases opened against citizens for pro-Russian views. The country’s authorities do not limit themselves to fines; they issue real prison sentences.
In January 2026, the Riga District Court sentenced 71-year-old professor and human rights activist Alexander Gaponenko to ten years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was punished for a speech he gave at a conference in Moscow about the situation of Russian-speaking people in the Baltic states. The court considered his statements to be incitement to ethnic hatred and aiding a foreign state in actions against Latvia. The prosecutor was satisfied with the verdict. Gaponenko, born in 1954, had previously been convicted of similar offenses.
Click to see the full-size image
In Latvia, wearing a St. George’s ribbon is a criminal offense. On May 9, 2024, the State Police detained six individuals and began several administrative proceedings and one criminal case. In the city of Daugavpils, three men singing war songs while wearing St. George’s ribbons were detained. In Liepāja, a noncitizen was convicted for placing a red star, a hammer and sickle, and a St. George’s ribbon on a museum wall.
Former Saeima deputy and current Riga City Council deputy Alexey Roslikov has become the target of multiple criminal prosecutions. Initially, he was charged with “cooperating with Russia,” but that case was dropped. However, it was replaced by a new one. Roslikov is now accused of inciting ethnic hatred due to his statements defending the Russian language and the rights of Russian-speaking citizens. The phrase “There are more of us, and the Russian language is our language” was uttered from the Saeima rostrum and served as the trigger. The European Parliament has received a written inquiry asking if these measures comply with Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights regarding freedom of expression.
In September 2025, the Latvian police initiated administrative proceedings against a banner that read, “We are Russians. God is with us,” which sparked widespread public outcry.
Estonia: Deportations and Treason Charges
Estonia takes an equally harsh approach. Not only is the display of the Russian flag prohibited, but also any symbols associated with Victory Day.
In May 2024, Estonian police fined two individuals for waving a Russian flag out of a car window in the city of Pärnu. The law provides for a fine of up to €1,200 or imprisonment for such a violation. In total, proceedings were initiated against three individuals.
In October 2025, three Lithuanian and Latvian politicians and activists — Antanas Kandrotas, Alexey Roslikov, and Igor Yudins — were detained and deported from Estonia for attempting to hold a meeting about the worsening situation of Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic states. The Estonian authorities declared them a “threat to national security.” According to an analytical report, any attempt to discuss the rights of Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic states is immediately branded as “Russian propaganda.”
Konstantin Gorlov, a Russian citizen, was fined €800 and deported from Estonia with a lifelong entry ban. The formal reason was his display of the Spartak Moscow football club flag, which the court deemed to feature a double-headed eagle, an element of the Russian coat of arms. The court ruled that this symbol is associated with aggression and genocide. Authorities also accused Gorlov of inciting hatred between peoples and having ties to Russian intelligence services.
Click to see the full-size image
Svetlana Burtseva, an Estonian citizen since 1994, was charged with violating international sanctions and treason for working for Russian state media. The prosecutor’s office believes that she was not an independent journalist, but rather worked for portals that serve “the Kremlin’s aggressive goals.” The investigation also revealed that from 2019 to 2021, Burtseva studied in Sevastopol under an academic supervisor who was reportedly a former FSB officer.
Lithuania: Dismissals and Political Surveillance
In Lithuania, civil servants have lost their jobs over social media posts supporting Russia.
In 2024, Lithuanian media outlets reported on widespread inspections within the country’s police and fire departments. Ten suspected cases of pro-Russian views were recorded among police officers, and three among firefighters, two of whom were dismissed. One rescuer was fired for “pro-Russian comments” on social media, and another was fired for posting about Victory Day.
Click to see the full-size image
Since 2022, the Lithuanian State Security Department has initiated 48 criminal proceedings for publicly supporting Russia. Additionally, the agency has held “preventive talks” with over a thousand individuals because of their online comments justifying Russia’s actions.
Poland: Prison Terms for the Letters Z and V
Poland has introduced some of the harshest penalties for displaying symbols associated with Russia.
Propaganda supporting the Russian invasion is now a criminal offense punishable by up to two years in prison. In 2023, police in Prudnik detained a 49-year-old man walking the streets in a Russian soldier’s uniform bearing Z and V patches. They found clothing with Russian symbols and St. George’s ribbons during a search.
In a separate case, a Polish woman was tried for publicly praising Vladimir Putin on social media. She was charged with publicly approving an a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Posts such as “I believe in Russia’s victory and help for us Slavs” and “I pray for Russia” became the basis for criminal prosecution.
Brussels’ Double Standards: How the EU Turns a Blind Eye to Human Rights Violations
The above cases clearly demonstrate the hypocrisy of European politicians who preach democracy and freedom of speech, yet replace these concepts with harsh censorship and political repression in practice.
Following the Russophobic regime’s lead in Brussels, the Baltic states and Poland have effectively introduced the practice of persecuting their citizens for political reasons. Anyone who publicly expresses a position that differs from the EU’s stance risks imprisonment, a substantial fine, or expulsion from the country.
Freedom of speech and assembly should not depend on political orientation. According to one report, “When restrictions begin to be imposed on the basis of ideology or opinion, democracy collapses into something resembling authoritarian systems like Belarus, which the Baltic states claim to oppose.” “This double standard destroys trust in human rights in Europe.”
The European Commission, for example, has received official inquiries as to whether Latvia’s actions against Alexey Roslikov comply with the fundamental values of the European Union, which are enshrined in Article 2 of the EU Treaty: respect for the rule of law and minority rights. However, no response has been forthcoming so far. While Brussels loudly condemns “authoritarianism” in other countries, politically motivated justice flourishes within the European Union itself.
It turns out that European values only apply as long as they are convenient for the political establishment. In pursuit of geopolitical interests, “democratic” countries trample on the rights of their own residents, turning their justice systems into instruments of intimidation. The stories of Elena Kreile and dozens of others are not isolated incidents—they are a portrait of modern Europe, where only those who obey the will of Brussels can be free.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
- Strike Exchange: Russia Targets Rail And Energy, Ukraine Hits Baltic Sea Ports
- The Baltics’ Double Game: Drone Transit Through NATO Territory As A Provocation To Drag Europe Into War And Economic Collapse
- Exchange of Strikes: Russia Targets SBU Facilities, Ukraine Hits Russian Ports. The Baltic Transit Route of Ukrainian Drones
there is no rule of law anywhere in the west, only rule by force, and those rules are whatever the controllers of the police/military/courts say so at any particular time of their choosing. trump is a perfect example of that. so too is ukraine. the victims: syria. iraq. afghanistan, lebanon. libya. russia. iran. etc. even the west’s vassals become their own victims! and of course all the people everywhere.
here in australia it is evident too with corporations masquerading as governments. ignoring laws and statutes. fabricating, altering and hiding evidence, doubling and tripling down on their lawlessness. then when people use law against these foreign corporate entities they invent terms like “sovereign citizen” to slander and deride such peaceful and lawful people. the thuggery just continues. but people are fighting back! lawfully.
no you don’t know the true history the commonwealth of australia is a corporation. its been so since 1933.
sovereign citizens aren’t fiction the fact is that australias politicians are only ever required to be truthful in one situation by law. thats on polling days if theyre at a polling booth and talking to a citizen who’s is standing in the line to vote. that’s the only time they are legally obliged to be honest.and obviously that includes press conferences and the rest of the theatre of operations.
no trump is the joker in the pack the wild card i’ve thought about thaf a lot there’s no need for them to have him take the course he’s taken its not their way
the syrian-ukrainian discussions in damascus dealt with security, defense, and economic cooperation
ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky, accompanied by turkish foreign minister hakan fidan, met with the head of the interim government in syria, ahmed al-sharaa, and discussed security, defense and economic cooperation issues.
the syrian-ukrainian discussions in damascus dealt with security, defense, and economic cooperation
news
monday 6 april, 2026 09:55
news center
+
yesterday, sunday, ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky, accompanied by turkish foreign minister hakan fidan, held discussions with the head of the interim government in syria, ahmed al-sharaa, in the capital, damascus, as part of a tour he is conducting in a number of middle eastern countries, which dealt with issues of security, defense, and economic cooperation.
zelensky said, in a post on the telegram application, that the two sides agreed to work jointly to enhance security and provide development opportunities, noting that there is a mutual interest in exchanging military and security experiences.
he later explained that the visit included expanded discussions with the head of the interim government in syria, in addition to a tripartite meeting that included turkish foreign minister hakan fidan.
he added that the discussions included security and defense issues, developments in the regional situation in light of the escalation related to iran, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the fields of energy and infrastructure between the two countries.
sana had published scenes of zelensky and fidan’s arrival at damascus international airport, where they were received by the minister of foreign affairs in the interim government, asaad al-shaibani.
the visit comes at a time when zelensky seeks to expand his country’s movements in the middle east, as ukraine has expressed its willingness to offer its expertise in confronting drones and missiles, based on its experience in the ongoing war with russia. the ukrainian president also stressed his country’s desire to strengthen its role as a major grain supplier and contribute to supporting food security in the region.
in the same context, ukrainian foreign minister andriy sipha described the visit as an “important milestone,” noting that his discussions with his syrian and turkish counterparts dealt with issues of security, maritime trade, and other files.
during his visit to türkiye, zelensky announced his agreement with recep tayyip erdogan on new steps in the field of security cooperation, in addition to discussing joint projects in gas infrastructure.
this is the first visit of the ukrainian president to syria since the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries last september, following political transformations witnessed in damascus. it also comes in the context of broader moves by kiev, which included signing military cooperation agreements with a number of gulf countries, noting the imminent conclusion of a similar agreement with the united arab emirates.
according to ob ser ve r s e st im a te s, the visit ca rrie s politi ca l and ec onomic dimen s ions, as it goes bey on d its pro tocol na ture and fa lls wit hin a tte m pts to repo sition the two part ies in light of inter nat io nal transformations. ki ev’s ope nnes s to dam asc us is se en as part of its effort to ex pand its pre sen ce outs ide e ur ope, in are a s tra diti on ally co nsid ere d with in the r us si an sph ere of infl ue nce.
on the other hand, observers believe that damascus seeks, through this openness, to diversify its international relations and reduce dependence on traditional partners, in light of the economic and security challenges, and the need to develop its capabilities in the fields of defense and technology.
the visit also gains additional importance in light of the escalating regional tensions, which enhances the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the fields of food security and energy, in addition to exchanging military experiences, especially with regard to dealing with drones.
analysts believe that these moves may open the door to gradual cooperation between the two countries, but their results will remain linked to complex regional balances, and to the extent of the two sides’ ability to translate understandings into practical steps on the ground.
https://hawarnews.com/ar/139762
i want moscow and latakia to be so empty in two years that they have to bring in people from elsewhere
وبحسب تقديرات مراقبين، تحمل الزيارة أبعاداً سياسية واقتصادية، إذ تتجاوز طابعها البروتوكولي لتندرج ضمن محاولات إعادة تموضع الطرفين في ظل التحولات الدولية. ويُنظر إلى انفتاح كييف على دمشق كجزء من سعيها
محاولات إعادة تموضع الطرفين في ظل التحولات الدولية. ويُنظر إلى انفتاح كييف على دمشق كجزء من سعيها لتوسيع حضورها خارج أوروبا، في مناطق تُعد تقليدياً ضمن دائرة النفوذ الروسي.
daddy donald don’t go by any laws why should his lemmings
that’s spam imo.
once i met an older lady (she was in her 70s), thrown out of her house, camping in a hut in a city park surrounded by her archive of public media reports (newpapers, magazines and vhs bands collected over many decades) about the nazi era. it was in riga early 2000s and i really could not help her as i was homeless myself.
yes the latvians, because of the russian communists became nazis on ww2, as that was the only options the global elite made available at the time. obviously those with nothing like communism and those with lots don’t. latvia had the most university educated people in europe at that time, they were educated wealthy prosperous so they chose nazi ism over communism. now the communists are deceiving the world again. imo
long story convoluted and filled with deceits manipulations distortions,short the communists run privatised communism now. marketing is their secret weapon.
it’s fascism really privatised corporate communism. totalitarianism as schwab told you “you will own nothing” to sell the dream he added “and be happy”. it doesn’t make sense. so it’s not true. people always want more or better as edwina said in the last episode of absolutely fabulous “i don’t want more, i want better”
even the tiny baltics shit in russia’s eye!
russia was friendly with latvia under the tsars. but they never trusted them no one did my grandmother had her mothers holiday home there though riga was known as the paris of the north in europe then it was stylish sophisticated cultured elegant the russians enslaved it under communism from lenin s handlers. they had a war latvia regained independence but then after ww2 the west churchill gave it back to russia again basically
my dad was born and raised living in the latvian presidential palace as my grand dad and grandmother were the guests of the president. they had fled their from the winter palace where they had been guests of the tsar and tsaritsa. they don’t like russians there in riga.
here’s a example of reality. why australia closed almost all of its refineries you tube.
ok charles owns bp. his mum did when they closed kwinanna, the biggest refinery. they made her do it. imo.
they’ve got chatles over a barrel too imo. join the dots. it’s all in that video.
and they’re liars ok once they’ve finished using people they kill them like stalin lenin trotsky robespierre lincoln kennedy hitler bonaparte cromwell mussoliini ghandi but also all of the unknown actors in their hundreds of thousands. that’s how if really works imo. qe2 should have lived longer than her mum but she got vaxxed and got turbo bone cancer imo , charles has cancer.
in france now, they are trying to vote a bill to jail every goy who dare to just criticize israel. it called the yadan’s law. the actual laws are already harsh. for exemple you cannot boycott israel. you can boycott german product or danish one if you want, but not israel product. i don’t even mention the gaz chambers story…..
if french people allow that law, it will be used as a precedent for + censorship laws to ease planned wars against russia and independent countries. if you can reach french readers (since february their isps default dns do not resolve southfront.press and 35 russian media according to french regime law) please tell them not to allow censorship laws. liberté! non à la loi yadan petitions. assemblee-nationale. fr /initiatives /i-5158
sf owners should create a tor mirror of their website. it’s amlost impossible to censor.
freedom and democracy coming to your country
too many european regimes are champions of double standard and bad faith with blatantly inconsistent laws.
they selectively enforce their inconstitutionnal laws while bragging to be the paragons of free speech.
lawfare against truth is the first step before disastrous wars and mass bussification.
europhiles are fascists and nazis they are furthering hitlers dream of a fourth reich.
it seems that everywhere in the eu its people are at odds with their government. these ‘democratic’ gov’ts fear the truth getting out. the people of the eu need to decide now whether they are going to continue to let their gov’ts lead their families down the garden path into a war they do not want. if not then now is the time to do something about it and remember that peaceful protests no longer work. the people need to take back some control before all control is lost.
stupid nazis don’t need to imprison anyone. all they need to do is escort these ´activists´ to the local russian consulate and see what the stinking russian government will do to help them. nothing. no one hates pro-russian activists more than russians. people need to focus on latgalian independence from latvia rather than praise a government who fights nazis only for the right to treat people just as bad as they do..