Latvian Lawyer Stripped of Cross of Recognition Over Past Judicial Decisions

The Captain of the Order has officially revoked the Cross of Recognition, awarded in 2010, from lawyer Uldis Krastiņš. The decision, announced in the official gazette, cites a “disgraceful offense” that was not known at the time of the award and is deemed incompatible with the status of the state honor.

Krastiņš,who was honored with the Fourth Class Order of Recognition on October 13,2010,has had his award rescinded based on a specific article of the law. The precise details of the offense leading to this decision have not been elaborated upon by the Captain of the Order.

Answering queries from LETA, the Office of the President stated that the Captain of the Order adheres to established practices and principles and does not comment on specific decisions or discussions regarding the granting or revocation of state awards.

previously a judge and later a criminal law lecturer at a university, Krastiņš released his memoir, “The twists and turns of my life,” in 2024.The book’s description highlights its candidness regarding personal experiences and political events of its time.

Reports from the newspaper “Diena” in 1997 detailed dissident cases handled by the Supreme Court of the Latvian SSR,with Krastiņš identified as a judge in one such case. In 1983, he presided over the sentencing of Jānis Rožkalns, a prominent figure in Latvia’s independence movement, to five and three years of imprisonment.

Reflecting on his judicial career at the time,Krastiņš commented,”If you have chosen the work of a judge,you have to look at things that are within jurisdiction.When choosing a position, no judge was aware that he would have to look at political things.” He added,”Whoever was free at the time,they gave it to the case. They fasted that its foundations could be undermined.”

Information available online indicates that an application for the revocation of Krastiņš’s award was submitted in late 2024. The application reportedly alleges that Krastiņš,”As a Judge of the Supreme court of the Latvian SSR,has sentenced five people to a politically engaged criminal case,commissioned by the Kremlin” and tried the case of Peter Lazda,a regime opponent,who was subsequently subjected to psychiatric evaluation and sent to Russia.