Suspected Russian spy dies in custody due to sudden health problems

Igor Bobirs was detained in August. Riga authorities said he may have worked for the secret service of the Russian Federal Security Service. Photo: CONTRAST -FOTODESIGN/E+

A man detained in Latvia on suspicion of spying for Russia died in custody due to sudden health problems, prison authorities reported.

Igor Bobirs was detained in August, authorities in Riga alleged that he may have been working for the secret service of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

On Wednesday, Latvian prison authorities said that 53-year-old Bobirs, who has not yet been formally charged, died a week earlier after being hospitalized.

The cause was not given. Death for the Russian-born man, but said his health had «deteriorated sharply.»

News agency LETA, a Latvian news organization, said police had launched an investigation and carried out an autopsy and toxicology reports had been ordered.< /p>High-profile espionage trial

Bobirs and three other suspects were detained after their names surfaced in the high-profile espionage trial of Janis Adamsons, Latvia's former interior minister.

Adamsons, a former deputy commander-in-chief of the Navy, was convicted in the case. month for espionage. for Russia and sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. It is reported that the 67-year-old man was able to transmit information of varying degrees of secrecy to Russia for four years.

Erlens Ernstsons, judge of the Riga City Court, said then: “Adamsons collected classified and unclassified information for the Russian intelligence services illegally, in a systematic and targeted manner.”

Latvia is a former Soviet republic that is now a member of NATO and the EU. Its relationship with Moscow has become strained as it strongly backs Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Two weeks ago, Latvia's president told The Associated Press that countries must continue to supply weapons to Ukraine or Russia will be given the green light to make threats. others in the future.