The Jēkabpils region marks three years since the brutal murder of a woman by her former partner, Leons Rusiņš, a tragedy that has prompted critical reforms in the protection of victims of violence in Latvia.
- The perpetrator, Leons Rusiņš, remains on the international wanted list despite having 19 prior criminal cases.
- New legislative measures now allow courts to issue temporary protection orders within a single day.
- Electronic ankle monitors have been introduced to track abusers, though they are currently rarely utilized.
On April 16, 2023, a woman born in 1983 was bludgeoned to death in the presence of her mother and minor child. The attack was carried out by Rusiņš, who had spent months stalking and threatening the victim.
Despite repeated reports to the police, the victim was not protected. Rusiņš had 19 criminal cases against him, 18 of which were specifically for violating restraining orders.
Criminal Investigation Into Leons Rusiņš
The State Police confirmed that the criminal investigation remains active. However, authorities have yet to locate Rusiņš.
Police recently conducted another search of the area where the suspect was last seen three years ago. While officials have not ruled out the possibility that Rusiņš committed suicide, they cannot confirm his death without remains.
State Police Chief Armands Ruks stated that if the suspect were alive, he would eventually surface. Until confirmed otherwise, Rusiņš remains classified as a dangerous criminal on the international wanted list.
Improvements in the Protection of Victims of Violence
The Jēkabpils case highlighted systemic failures, as the victim had actively sought help for months before her death. In response, several legislative improvements have been implemented.
One significant change is the acceleration of temporary protection mechanisms. Courts are now capable of issuing temporary protection orders within one day to ensure faster response times.
Amendments to the Criminal Law have also reclassified stalking and threats as more serious offenses. Actual imprisonment is now possible for those who systematically violate restraining orders or pose a direct threat to life.
Furthermore, the State Police and courts have faced increased accountability. Internal investigations and disciplinary actions followed the Jēkabpils case, leading to the development of new guidelines for assessing the risk of systemic domestic violence during police calls.
Increased Demand for Support Services
Alīse Potaša, director of the Marta Centre’s Rēzekne branch, reports an 80% increase in clients over the last year. She attributes this trend to increased public awareness and recommendations among survivors.
The Marta Centre handles approximately 1,000 clients annually, with 141 served by the Rēzekne branch last year. Potaša expects client numbers to continue rising through the end of this year.
Potaša emphasized a critical need for better national support for children. In nearly 90% of cases, women seeking help have children who, while not always direct targets of violence, have witnessed abuse within the family.
Implementation of Electronic Monitoring
To prevent the violation of restraining orders, Latvia has introduced electronic ankle monitors for perpetrators. These devices are designed to alert both the police and the victim if an abuser approaches a restricted zone.
Despite the law being introduced last year, these monitors are still used in very rare cases. Authorities and advocates note that there is still a significant gap before victims can feel fully safe and protected.
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