On October 19, 2023, the Latvian parliament (Saeima) passed an important bill aimed at strengthening accountability for crimes against the state. This initiative was proposed by the President of Latvia, Egils Rinkēvičs, and received unanimous support during its first reading. The proposed bill entails a stricter criminal liability for participation in organised groups aiming to act against Latvia's interests, providing assistance to foreign states in activities against Latvia, as well as for cases of espionage.

According to information provided by the Delfi portal, the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code involve an increase in the minimum prison terms and the elimination of community service as an alternative form of punishment.

The bill also raises the maximum prison term by 10 years, governed by Article 81 of the Criminal Code, and establishes a minimum prison term of one year with the possibility of asset confiscation and a three-year probationary period.

Furthermore, the bill strengthens accountability for espionage cases. The minimum prison term set for the first part of Article 85 of the Criminal Code is one year, with the possibility of imprisonment for up to ten years and asset confiscation.

The President of Latvia is convinced that the previous punishments proved to be too lenient and ineffective in achieving their goals. The purpose of the new bill is to ensure public safety and law enforcement, prevent the commission of criminal offences by other individuals.

It's worth noting that this initiative is President Egils Rinkēvičs' first legislative proposal during his presidency. The previous President of Latvia, Gitanas Nauseda, also proposed strengthening punishments for crimes against the state, and these amendments were also passed during their first reading.