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Leonid Ragozin says Latvia notified him on October 13 that he is being expelled after living in the country for 12 years. Latvian officials have not publicly identified him or disclosed specific grounds; Ragozin calls the move political persecution.
Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin said Latvia notified him on October 13 that it is expelling him, ending his 12 years living in the country. Latvian authorities have not publicly named him or specified the grounds for the decision, leaving the official basis unclear as Ragozin describes the move as political persecution.
Ragozin announced the notification on social media on October 14. “I can now confirm that yesterday I was notified of my expulsion from Latvia where I lived for 12 years,” he wrote. He said the notice did not identify “any specific misdemeanors or statements” that prompted the decision. Ragozin also said he had been designated persona non grata.
He characterized that status as one meant “for diplomats who enjoy immunity from prosecution, not for ordinary people.” That is Ragozin’s description of the designation; the available report does not provide the legal document or independently explain the specific procedure applied to him. Latvian officials have not publicly set out a detailed explanation of the case.
Ragozin alleges that the expulsion is political retaliation. He said it followed what he called “long-brewing revenge” by far-right politicians over his investigation into their ties to Russian neo-Nazis who had taken refuge in Kyiv. He also described the decision as punishment for his commentary on Russia’s war against Ukraine and for his investigation into the killing of journalist Pavel Sheremet. These are his claims; the report does not establish that they were the government’s reasons for the expulsion.
A Journalist’s Status in Latvia
The case places Latvia’s decision to remove a resident journalist alongside unresolved questions about the reasons for the action. Ragozin has lived in the country since moving there after Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, and says the authorities gave him no specific misconduct or statements as grounds. The lack of a public explanation means readers cannot independently assess the state’s stated rationale from the information available.
The dispute also concerns a journalist who has reported and commented on Russia, Ukraine and political movements. Ragozin links the decision to his work and public views, while Latvian officials have said only that the process was based on information from competent authorities. His allegation of retaliation should not be treated as an established account of the government’s motive.
For now, the practical implications are also uncertain. The source report says he was notified of expulsion, but does not state a deadline for leaving, whether he can appeal, or whether any legal challenge is under way. Those details would clarify how immediately the decision affects his residence and work.
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How the Expulsion Was Reported
In early October, Latvian news outlets reported that the Foreign Ministry had begun proceedings to declare “another Russian citizen” persona non grata. The person’s identity was not officially disclosed at the time. The Latvian outlet Delfi reported that the individual was Ragozin; he has now publicly said he received an expulsion notice.
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said the decision was based on information “from the competent authorities” and followed consultations with the interior minister and the prime minister. The source report does not provide further detail on what information those authorities supplied, nor does it quote a fuller official statement explaining the grounds.
Ragozin previously worked as a correspondent and producer for BBC Russia from 1998 to 2013 and as an editor at Russian Newsweek magazine, and he collaborated with Lonely Planet. After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, he moved to Latvia. More recently, he has worked with Al Jazeera, Jacobin and The American Conservative, according to the report.
““I can now confirm that yesterday I was notified of my expulsion from Latvia where I lived for 12 years.””
— Leonid Ragozin
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Official Grounds Remain Unstated
The available reporting does not include the expulsion notice itself or a detailed public statement from Latvian authorities identifying the legal grounds, evidence or specific conduct at issue. Braže referred to information from competent authorities, but the nature of that information has not been disclosed in the source material.
It is also unclear whether Ragozin has been given a deadline to leave, what review or appeal options are available, or whether he intends to challenge the decision. His claim that the measure is political retaliation remains his account; the government’s full response and any evidence supporting its decision are not included in the report.
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Next Steps in the Expulsion Process
The immediate developments to watch are any further explanation from Latvia’s Foreign Ministry and details about the timing and legal process attached to the notice. Ragozin may also clarify whether he will appeal or pursue another legal challenge, but the source material does not say that he has taken either step.
Until more information is released, the confirmed point is that Ragozin says he received notice of expulsion on October 13. The government’s specific grounds, the timeline for carrying out the decision and the outcome of any possible challenge remain unresolved.
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Key Questions
Who is Latvia expelling?
Leonid Ragozin, a Russian journalist who says he has lived in Latvia for 12 years. He publicly identified himself as the person notified after Latvian authorities had not named the individual.
When did Ragozin receive the notice?
Ragozin said he was notified on October 13, 2026, and posted about it the following day.
What reason did Latvia give for the expulsion?
The publicly available reporting does not include a specific reason in the notice. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže previously said the decision was based on information from competent authorities, without detailing that information.
Why does Ragozin say he is being expelled?
Ragozin alleges the move is political retaliation connected to his reporting and commentary, including an investigation into far-right politicians’ alleged ties to Russian neo-Nazis and his work on the Pavel Sheremet case. Those claims have not been established as the government’s motive.
Is Ragozin challenging the decision?
The source report does not say whether he plans to appeal or has begun a legal challenge. It also does not specify a departure deadline or the procedures available to him.
Source: rss
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