Dutch pair face jail in Latvia after ‘helping refugees in

Group who crossed from Belarus included sister of one of the accused in case highlighting Latvia’s harsh migration laws

Two Dutch people are facing prison sentences of up to eight years in Latvia over what they say was an act of compassion to help a group of refugees reach safety, including the sister of one of the pair.

The case has put Latvia’s harsh laws on migration under the spotlight and comes as a local rights activist also faces jail time, for helping refugees who crossed into Latvia via the country’s border with neighbouring Belarus.