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Leonid Ragozin says Latvian authorities notified him on October 13, 2026, that he is being expelled after living in the country for 12 years. Latvia has not publicly identified him or detailed the grounds; Ragozin calls the decision political persecution.
Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin says Latvia notified him on October 13 that it is expelling him from the country, where he has lived for 12 years. Latvian authorities have not publicly named him or explained the specific grounds, while Ragozin says he considers the decision political persecution.
Ragozin announced the notice on social media. He said it did not cite specific misdemeanors or statements that prompted the decision. He also said he had been declared persona non grata, a designation he argued is intended for diplomats with immunity rather than ordinary residents.
In his account, the decision was linked to what he described as “long-brewing revenge” by far-right politicians over his reporting on their alleged ties to Russian neo-Nazis who had taken refuge in Kyiv. He also connected the action to his commentary on Russia’s war against Ukraine and his work on the Pavel Sheremet investigation. These are Ragozin’s explanations; Latvian authorities have not publicly confirmed them as the reasons for the expulsion.
Latvia’s Foreign Ministry said earlier in October that it had started proceedings to declare “another Russian citizen” persona non grata. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said the move was based on information “from the competent authorities” and followed consultations with the interior minister and prime minister. The ministry did not name the person. Latvian outlet Delfi identified the individual as Ragozin before he confirmed receiving the notice.
A Journalist Faces Expulsion
The case concerns a Russian journalist who has reported and commented on Russia’s war in Ukraine and has lived in Latvia since leaving Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea. Expulsion would affect his ability to remain in the country where he has resided for more than a decade, although the notice’s terms and the practical timeline have not been made public.
The dispute also raises questions about the basis for Latvia’s action. Ragozin says the notice did not identify specific conduct, while the government has referred only to information from competent authorities. Without a published explanation, readers cannot independently assess the stated legal or security grounds against Ragozin’s allegation of political retaliation.
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From Russia to Latvia
Ragozin worked in Russia as a correspondent and producer for BBC Russia from 1998 to 2013, and later as an editor at Russian Newsweek. He also collaborated with Lonely Planet. He moved to Latvia after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
In more recent years, his work has included contributions to Al Jazeera, Jacobin and The American Conservative. The Latvian government’s early-October announcement referred only to an unnamed Russian citizen, describing a process to impose persona non grata status. Ragozin’s notification now connects that previously undisclosed case to a named journalist, but the authorities have not issued a public account identifying him or laying out the decision’s grounds.
““I can now confirm that yesterday I was notified of my expulsion from Latvia where I lived for 12 years.””
— Leonid Ragozin, in a social media post
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Grounds and Timeline Remain Unclear
Latvia has not publicly confirmed Ragozin’s identity in connection with its earlier announcement, nor has it released detailed grounds for his expulsion. Ragozin says the notice did not specify the conduct behind the decision, but the full notice has not been included in the available reporting.
It is also unclear when he must leave, whether he can challenge the decision, what legal process is available to him, or whether the authorities will provide a fuller explanation. His claims that the expulsion is political retaliation remain unverified, and the government has not publicly responded to those allegations in the reported material.
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Awaiting Latvia’s Public Explanation
The next developments to watch are whether Latvian authorities publicly identify Ragozin as the person covered by the proceedings, disclose the grounds for the decision, or clarify its effective date and any review process. Ragozin’s social media post confirms that he says he was notified, but the available reporting does not establish whether he has filed an appeal or what steps he plans to take.
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Key Questions
Who is Latvia expelling?
Leonid Ragozin, a Russian journalist, says he received notice that Latvia is expelling him. Latvia had previously announced proceedings against an unnamed Russian citizen; Delfi reported that the person was Ragozin.
When did Ragozin receive the notice?
Ragozin said he was notified on October 13, 2026, the day before the report was published.
Why does Ragozin say Latvia is expelling him?
He alleges political persecution, linking the decision to his reporting on far-right politicians’ alleged ties to Russian neo-Nazis, his commentary on Russia’s war in Ukraine and his work on the Pavel Sheremet investigation. Latvian authorities have not publicly confirmed those as the reasons.
What reasons has Latvia given?
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said the earlier decision was based on information “from the competent authorities,” following consultations with the interior minister and prime minister. The reported material does not provide a detailed public explanation or confirm that Latvia has named Ragozin.
What happens next for Ragozin?
The notice’s deadline, any right to appeal and Ragozin’s next steps have not been reported. Further information may come from Latvian authorities or from Ragozin if he challenges the decision.
Source: rss
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