The investigation into the case started in October 2019, when a Belarusian citizen was kidnapped in the Latvian city of Saulkrasti. The perpetrators intended to benefit financially from the kidnapping, but when their plans failed, they killed the victim. They also tried to fraudulently access properties that belonged to the abductee by using a forged power of attorney document.

The Latvian authorities launched a large-scale investigation and soon involved the Ukrainian authorities, due to the alleged involvement of Ukrainian nationals. Eurojust was called upon to support the investigation. These efforts resulted in two men being arrested and placed in custody in Latvia. The investigation was completed in March 2023 and the case has been handed over to the Rīga Judicial Region prosecutor's office. The arrested individuals have been charged with committing particularly serious crimes: hostage-taking, murder committed under aggravating circumstances and the preparation of fraud on a large scale.

To facilitate judicial cooperation between Latvian and Ukrainian authorities, Eurojust supported the setting up and funding of a joint investigation team. The Agency also organised five coordination meetings to support the investigative efforts.

The following authorities took part in this investigation:

• Latvia: Department for Combatting Serious and Serial Organised Crime of the Central Criminal Police Department of the State Police; Criminal Police Department of the Riga Regional Department of the State Police; Prosecution Office of the Riga Judicial Region
• Ukraine: Prosecutor General’s Office; National Police of Ukraine