RIGA. March 11 (Interfax/BNS) - The Latvian State Police and State Border Guard have warned Russian citizens that the legality of their presence in Latvia will be checked during the Russian presidential election at the Russian embassy in Riga.
"Access to the embassy [of Russia to Latvia] will be properly controlled. Checkpoints will be opened together with the State Border Guard to verify the availability of residence permits and visas," State Police Chief Armands Ruks said on the 900 Seconds program on the Latvian channel TV3.
He called on Russian citizens residing in Latvia and planning to cast ballots in the Russian presidential election to accept possible street checks.
The checks of Russian citizens might reveal serious violations of the rules of stay in Latvia, which might lead to the initiation of a deportation procedure, Ruks said. Representatives of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs will take part in the checks to comply with the regulations, he said.
Two polling stations will open at the Russian embassy in Riga.