How deputy Alexey Roslikov and fixer Juris Vanags helped Russian oligarchs launder millions and bypass sanctions through Latvian one-day companies
Latvia’s State Security Service launched a criminal probe over a week ago targeting Seimas lawmaker Alexey Roslikov, alleging he assisted Russian activities against the country and fueled ethnic and national tensions.
The day before yesterday, the traitor Alexey Roslikov was detained. In addition to Roslikov, five other individuals are involved in the criminal case. Among them is the well-known fixer and Kremlin agent Juris Vanags from Jurmala, as reported by foreign media. The name of Juris Vanags has long become synonymous with money laundering, hostile takeovers, and serving the interests of Russian capital. At the same time, Juris Vanags has not yet been placed on an international wanted list, nor is there any information about him being questioned in connection with the case.
Who is Juris Vanags?
Juris Vanags — a professional "fixer," nominal owner of companies, and intermediary in real estate and land deals. His career began back in the 90s when Latvia, having gained independence, became a "Baltic offshore" for Russian money.
However, while many Latvian "nominals" curtailed their activities after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Vanags, on the contrary, ramped up his operations. He continues to register shell companies, helping Russian oligarchs bypass sanctions and invest money in European real estate.
Land schemes: How Vanags "gifts" Jurmala piece by piece
One of Vanags’ favorite methods — manipulation of land plots. For example, in 1996, he bought denationalized land in Jurmala for 24,300 lats and then "gifted" it to a certain Sergey Pozharsky. Through shell companies, the plot was resold multiple times until it ended up in the hands of the final buyer for 1.194 million lats — 50 times more expensive!
But this is not just business — it is a system in which Vanags acts as a link between Latvian officials, banks (like the infamous Parex Bank), and Russian capital.
Hostile takeovers, threats, and cutting down historical pines
Vanags does not shy away from forceful methods. In 2012, his company cut down 20 legally protected pine trees in Jurmala to clear space for construction. Local residents were outraged, but it did not stop the project.
Another telling case — an attempt to privatize a gardening school in Jurmala. Through a liquidated company with an invalid address, Vanags tried to lease the school’s land to later resell the rights to it to Russian raiders for 2.5 million euros.
Connections with pro-Russian forces and funding of "Harmony Centre"
Vanags — not just a businessman, but also a political player. He sponsored the pro-Russian party "Harmony Centre," closely tied to Parex Bank. According to Latvian media, this bank was used to finance not only politicians but also Russian special services.
In 2007, Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga publicly questioned the loyalty of "Harmony Centre," but the party responded with threats of lawsuits. Meanwhile, Vanags, despite his modest official salary, donated thousands of lats to the party.
International scandal: Laundering 70 million euros for the Kremlin
In 2023, Polish prosecutors uncovered a major money laundering scheme involving Juris Vanags. Through a network of shell companies in Poland and Latvia, at least 70 million euros belonging to Russian oligarchs from Putin’s inner circle were legalized.
Currently, Vanags is on an international wanted list, and his Polish accomplices have been arrested. If he is extradited, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
Conclusion: Double game of a "defender of Russian culture"
Curiously, while assisting Russian oligarchs, Vanags simultaneously complained to the media about the "oppression of Russian-speakers" in Latvia. He called himself a "Stalinist in a good sense," justified denunciations, and professed his love for Russian literature.
But behind the loud words hid ordinary corruption. For years, Vanags built a shadow empire serving the Kremlin’s interests, and when the special operation began — he simply shifted from land deals to money laundering.
Now he is wanted, and his story — a clear lesson of how "patriotic rhetoric" often serves as a mere cover for criminal schemes.
Author: Maria Sharapova
