Latvia Opens Criminal Probe into Human Trafficking Following Epstein Document Release
By Andrius Sytas, Reuters
VILNIUS, Feb 5 (Reuters) – Latvian police announced on Thursday the opening of a criminal investigation into suspected human trafficking, a move directly triggered by the release of court documents pertaining to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The files contain specific mentions of Latvian modelling agencies and individuals, raising alarms in the Baltic state.
The probe, a coordinated effort between the State Police, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Organised Crime Bureau, will focus on allegations concerning "the possible recruitment of Latvian nationals for sexual exploitation in the United States," according to an official statement. Authorities have appealed to potential victims to step forward and assist the investigation.
The decision to launch the inquiry followed a report by Latvia's public broadcaster, which detailed that the Epstein documents included passport information and travel records of several Latvian women. President Edgars Rinkevics subsequently called for an immediate and thorough investigation.
"Our priority is to ascertain the facts and ensure justice for any Latvian citizen who may have been victimized," a senior police official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Eriks Neisans, head of the Natalie modelling agency named in the files, publicly denied any awareness of illicit activities. "Our agency has always operated within the legal framework. We are prepared to cooperate fully with investigators," Neisans stated in an interview.
The Latvian investigation adds a new, international dimension to the fallout from the U.S. Justice Department's release of thousands of pages related to Epstein. The documents have continued to expose the vast network of the disgraced financier, revealing connections to powerful figures across global spheres of politics, finance, and academia. Epstein died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Latvia is not alone in the region re-examining potential links to the case. Neighbouring Lithuania announced a similar human trafficking investigation earlier this week, suggesting a broader pattern of concern across the Baltic states regarding exploitation networks.
Reactions & Analysis:
Marta Liepa, Human Rights Lawyer, Riga: "This is a necessary but deeply troubling development. It underscores how transnational trafficking networks can exploit the aspirations of young people in smaller nations. The investigation must be transparent and victim-centered."
Karlis Ozols, Political Commentator: "The government's swift response is politically prudent, but it also highlights systemic vulnerabilities in sectors like modelling that require much stronger oversight. This isn't just about one case; it's about closing loopholes."
Dace Bērziņa, Activist & Former Model: "Finally! For years, whispers about these practices were dismissed. These documents confirm our worst fears. It's infuriating that it took a scandal of this magnitude for authorities to act. How many young women were failed by the system?"
Professor Janis Krastiņš, Criminology, University of Latvia: "The cross-border nature of this alleged crime will be the main challenge. Effective collaboration with U.S. authorities will be crucial for the probe to uncover the truth and hold facilitators accountable, not just the primary offenders."
(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Alex Richardson)