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Latvia declares Russian journalist Ragozin persona non grata
Latvia declared Riga-based Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin persona non grata on October 14, 2026, and notified him of a deportation order. While no national security grounds were given for the decision, Ragozin alleged that it was taken because of his criticism of Western policies.
Riga-based Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin said that Latvian authorities had declared him persona non grata. Ragozin said he was notified of the deportation proceedings on October 13 and confirmed the decision on Wednesday, October 14.
Latvia’s Foreign Ministry announced last week that an unidentified Russian citizen had been added to its list of persona non grata individuals. Ministry adviser Toms Sadovskis said the grounds for the decision would not be disclosed for national security reasons.
Ragozin alleged that the decision was retaliation for his critical commentary on Western policies and far-right political networks. He also argued that Latvia had declared him persona non grata to prevent him from challenging the deportation order in the country’s courts.
The journalist described his deportation as a personal tragedy. He said he regarded Riga as the only home he had loved and had been deprived of his friends and support network.
Ragozin said he was outside Latvia and expressed concern that he could face imprisonment if he returned to Russia.
Ragozin’s journalism career
Ragozin previously worked as a producer for the BBC’s Russian service and as an editor at Russian Newsweek. His freelance commentary has appeared in outlets including Al Jazeera, Jacobin and The American Conservative.
The journalist had drawn public criticism for commentary arguing that the Kremlin was forced to resort to brute force in response to Western interference in its sphere of influence. Ragozin later said he condemned Russia’s aggression and supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, but added that he would continue to criticize the way Western countries were managing the conflict.
In an article he wrote for The American Conservative in August, Ragozin argued that ordinary Russians viewed Western countries as a greater threat than their own government.
Latvia has declared more than 150 Russian cultural workers, state media figures and commentators persona non grata since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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