Latvian PM against politicizing situation with ex-Moscow mayor

Luzhkov earlier requested a Latvian residence permit, but on Monday Latvian Interior Minister Linda Murniece placed him on a blacklist of people whose presence in the country is "undesirable."

"I would not like to politicize this issue. The country has relevant services, which currently enquire into the situation and make relevant decisions. I believe, we should leave this issue within their competence," Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis told journalists.

Interior Minister Murniece said on Tuesday she made the decision against the former mayor of the Russian capital basing on information from the country's security services. She also said that Luzhkov's goal was not to invest in Latvia or the Latvian economy, but to use Latvia for trips into the Schengen Zone.

Under Latvian immigration laws, foreigners can seek residence permits if they have bought real estate worth between 50,000 to 100,000 lats ($100,000-200,000) or if they have 200,000 lats ($400,000) in a Latvian banking account.

Luzhkov invested 200,000 lat ($400,000) in the subordinated capital of Latvia's Rietumu Banka commercial bank and owns real estate in the country.

Murniece added that Luzhkov's hate speeches concerning Latvia also contributed to imposing an entry ban on him.

The ex-Moscow mayor, who had held the high profile post since 1992, was sacked last year by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev following an extensive smear campaign against him by the country's media. Medvedev cited corruption and negligence of duty as the main reasons for the dismissal.

A number of media sources earlier reported that Luzhkov had also filed a request for a British visa; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.

See www.en.rian.ru