A Latvian court has convicted an Azerbaijani national, Ali Khalilov, imposing an 11-year sentence for facilitating the sale of Starlink terminals and military equipment to Russia, alongside aiding sanctions evasion. The Riga City Court delivered this ruling on Monday following a criminal case initiated by Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) in March 2025. As part of the sentence, Khalilov will also serve three years of probation and face a five-year ban on entering Latvia.
Since October 2024, the VDD had been investigating Khalilov, charging him with assisting a foreign state—Russia—in hostilities against Ukraine, and violating international sanctions through a coordinated effort. Latvian media reports indicate that Khalilov collaborated with three other individuals: Latvian nationals Danila Goculaks and Alens Navickas, and foreign national Marija Mikhejeva. These individuals assisted with tasks such as opening accounts, monitoring deliveries, and concealing equipment.
The operation, spanning June to October 2024, involved the delivery of over 60 Starlink Mini Kit devices—valued at approximately €200,000—to Russia, circumventing restrictions through fictitious email accounts and transport arrangements. The devices were ultimately shipped to the Moscow “Gorbushka” market, a historically significant electronics hub, and subsequently sent to the Russian-occupied Luhansk region. Furthermore, the group procured military supplies, including backpacks, weapon components, and ballistic equipment, utilizing a network of companies across Germany, Latvia, and Russia.
The Azerbaijani national, Khalilov, was detained during the investigation and appeared remotely from Riga Central Prison, refusing legal representation. Investigations revealed the involvement of individuals linked to the Chechen Akhmat special forces unit. The prosecutor stated that the organized group consisted of people who were in Russia.
Topics: #latvia #azerbaijani #national
Latvian authorities have found Ali Khalilov guilty, receiving an eleven-year prison term for supplying Starlink devices and weaponry to Russia, along with assisting in the circumvention of internation