The dragging out of the case and freedom for a drug lord: how the high-profile trial of Spiridonov’s gang is turning into a farce
Two years ago, police made a big announcement about the arrest of Yuri Spiridonov, one of the key leaders of Latvian organized crime.
Today, the criminal case against him and eight other defendants continues to be heard in the Economic Court. As Kompromat.lv has learned, in early September, Judge Lyubov Koval changed the pretrial detention measures for Yuri Spiridonov and his "accomplices." A photograph of Yuri and his wife, Alexandra, taken on the balcony of the Latvian National Opera drew attention to the high-profile criminal case.
Smiles, hugs, a handbag with a recognizable monogram…
"Prison hasn’t affected the usual routes of those involved in this high-profile trial. There’s no sign of procedural deterrence!" writes the Monroe Live Telegram channel.
According to the prosecution, from 2020 until the fall of 2024, the group grew marijuana on indoor plantations in Spain and then sold it.
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Yuri Spiridonov was arrested on September 10, 2024, in Riga. A Glock 17 pistol with its registration number filed down was found at his residence.
Police officially announced that 16 people were detained during the international operation – ten in Latvia and six in Spain. Among the participants were citizens of Russia and Moldova; criminal proceedings have been initiated against them in other countries. More than 110,000 euros, 13 kilograms of marijuana, two firearms, ammunition, cryptocurrency wallets, and expensive watches were seized. Ten properties, worth a total of approximately 500,000 euros, were seized.
These figures apply to the operation as a whole. Nine people appeared before the Latvian court in the case under consideration. In addition to Yuri Spiridonov, there are his wife, Alexandra Spiridonova; his parents, Valery and Ina Spiridonov; as well as Alexander Gumenny, Alexander Alekseyev, Fyodor Skopin, Arina Losa, and Alexander Arsenyev.
As part of the trial, charges were brought under Parts 1 and 3 of Article 195 of the Criminal Code - legalization of criminal proceeds; Part 3 of Article 253¹ - illegal drug trafficking for sale or sale under qualifying circumstances; Part 2 of Article 256 - illegal cultivation of drug-containing plants over large areas or by an organized group; Part 2 of Article 233 - illegal actions with weapons, ammunition and other items provided for by law.
A separate portion of the indictment concerns the Spiridonov family and their attempt to launder at least 70,000 euros. According to the prosecution, Yuri recruited his wife, Alexandra, and his parents, Valery and Ina, to help them. Their task was to regularly deposit cash into their bank accounts in Latvia.
This is how the prosecution describes the alleged money laundering mechanism: cash of criminal origin entered the banking system through the accounts of close relatives. The specific role attributed to them is something the court will have to assess.
The trial is currently in its second year. The case was filed with the court on June 18, 2025, and the first hearing took place on July 10. Prosecutor Aivars Bergmanis already warned back then of the prospect of a multi-year trial:
"You can’t count on a quick trial: there are nine defendants, four in custody, and seven defense attorneys. It’s very difficult for the court to coordinate hearing schedules."
As of September 12, 2026, the trial history shows ten hearings that have taken place and four that have been removed from the schedule.
The trial is open to the press. The next hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 8:30 AM.