Photo credit: Baltic Point / youtube.com
The Latvian authorities want to expel 1,167 Russians from Latvia, RIA Novosti reports citing the LETA agency. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) of the Baltic Republic noted that this is exactly how many Russian citizens did not apply for a residence permit.
Last December, it was reported about the possible deportation of 1,213 people, but the OCMA clarified that 46 of them had already left the country. Of those who remained, 789 Russians are over 60 years old.
As the head of the OCMA, Maira Rose, explained, first Russian citizens would have to explain why they are still in Latvia; their answers will be considered in February. After the deportation order, people will have to leave the republic within a month, otherwise they will be forcibly removed.
Earlier, the Latvian parliament voted for amendments to the migration law, which introduced a mandatory exam on knowledge of the Latvian language for Russians living in the country. Deportation may affect many older people who have lived in Latvia most of their lives.
Chargé d'Affaires of Russia in Latvia Oleg Zykov called the appeals of Russians to diplomats a collective cry of despair. According to him, the embassy receives a huge number of letters where people complain about unlawful actions of the authorities of the Baltic republic.
Russkiy Mir
