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Latvia Blacklists Russian Businessman Over Alleged Startup Visa Abuse · IMI Podcasts

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: A Latvian investigation has uncovered allegations of how a Russian businessman helped hundreds of his countrymen obtain European Union residence through Latvia's startup visa program, according to TV3's Neka Personaiga reports.
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_00: Alexei Pospehovs obtained one of Latvia's first startup visas in 2018 and established multiple companies in Latvia.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: He allegedly promoted the program as the easiest way to move to Europe and the U.S.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: After founding his consultancy Mission Tech in 2019, Pospihovs reported assisting 21 startups in obtaining visas.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: He publicly declared his aim to bring a thousand startups to Latvia through Mission Tech, creating at least 3,000 to 4,000 jobs.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: TV3's investigation found that many visa recipients had allegedly listed Pospihov's Gertrody Street apartment as their residence.
• 0:53
  SPEAKER_00: At least 35 companies, managed by over 100 Russian citizens, registered at a single address on Ganbu Dambis 26A, where building management confirmed no offices ever operated, according to TV3.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: Latvia Investment and Development Agency, also known as LIAA, Director Ryvis Bremschmitz, acknowledges the challenge of identifying fraudulent applications.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: He explains that the, quote, problem we face in all programs is that there is a part that is honest, and unfortunately, there is always a part that is dishonest, end quote.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: Latvia launched the program in 2016 to establish itself as the Baltic region's startup hub, ultimately granting temporary residence permits to 292 Russian citizens and their families.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: While the rules required applicants to prove business legitimacy through board membership and product development, LIAA limited its evaluation to paper proposals.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: Applications reached 295 in 2021, but Latvia suspended Russian applications for the program, as well as the Golden Visa, in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: Officials have closed associated companies en masse and revoked numerous permits, though 41 Russian citizens maintain their status.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: Latvian security authorities added Pospihovs to their blacklist in the spring of 2024, citing concerns over his alleged role in helping individuals misrepresent their entry purposes.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: According to TV3's Neka Perseniga, Pospihov's company, Mission Space, has relocated to Luxembourg.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_00: An accountant formerly employed by his companies told TV3 that Pospahov's had also moved there.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Head of the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Myra Rose reports: Latvia has implemented stricter visa conditions, including mandatory board membership within three months and detailed product justification requirements.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: This episode first appeared as an article by Amada Bas on imidaily.com.
• 2:57
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