In light of the launch of an investigation by the European Parliament into the case against Latvian MEP Tatjana Zhdanoka, who is suspected of spying for Russia, Latvian MEPs from different political groups in a letter to EU President Roberta Metsola warn that there are others like Zhdanoka.

The text of the letter, dated January 30, was transferred to Interfax-Ukraine. It was signed by Sandra Kalniete (a group of European populists), Roberts Zile (a group of European conservatives) and Ivars Ijabs (a group of reformists and liberals).

"Crucially, we are convinced that Zdanoka is not an isolated case. There are other MEPs besides her knowingly serving Russia’s interests, as reflected by their public interventions, voting record, organised events, as well as covert activities, even after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Their activities are undermining the security, credibility, and democratic resilience of the EU," according to the letter.

The signatories expressed confidence that the Green group, of which Zhdanoka previously belonged, should bear "a degree of responsibility for long-term cooperation, financial support, and informational exchange with Zdanoka." "Zdanoka was only expelled from the group at the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Her naked sympathy for dictatorslike Putin and Assad was thinly veiled as a struggle for human rights, anti-fascism and anti-Nazism. At last, we cannot tolerate a delayed EP response in light of this week’s revelations. We demand a strong and swift EP reaction, clear communication of the EP position and investigation by the Advisory committee on the Code of Conduct, as well as stricter scrutiny for event organisation and invited speakers, guests, accessibility of EP communication platforms, and political conformity with the EP position of involved staff and accredited assistants. We expect real considerations and practical changes in the EP code of conduct to prevent similar cases in future EP mandates," the EP members listed their demands.

Commenting directly on the information released, according to which Zhdanoka is accused of espionage activities in favor of Russia, the signatories stated that they were "not surprised in the least." "We have never doubted Zdanoka’s true allegiance, and for many years, we have sought to prevent her various foreign interference activities using the available EP instruments. For context, in the late 1980s, Zdanoka became one of the leaders of the Interfront, an organisation established by Moscow to counter Latvia’s independence movement. Since then, all her activities have been deliberately and systematically directed against the restoration and the integrity of Latvian statehood. Since the restoration of Latvia’s independence, all active members of the Soviet communist party, including Zdanoka, have been barred from participating in national and local elections. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she has also been barred from participating in EP elections," the MEPs said.