The Latvian parliament is moving to ban tourism firms from offering tours to Russia and Belarus, the public broadcaster LSM reports.
The aim is to reduce the risks of human rights violations and prevent recruitment by the intelligence services, initiators of the bill say.
“Traveling to Russia and Belarus is currently a security issue which causes problems for tourists and our services,” said MP Gatis Liepins.
“Last year, more than 30 Latvian nationals were arrested in Russia and Belarus, but in these countries, the ability of our institutions to help is very limited,” he added.
Lithuania has banned officials and officers holding security clearances from visiting the two countries.
Vilnius has also called on citizens to refrain from travel to Russia and Belarus, as there have been repeated attempts to coerce travellers to cooperate with the intelligence services of the two countries. (LRT)