Latvia handed over to Ukraine 612 cars confiscated from drunk drivers with a total value of 2.25 million euros. About this reported State Revenue Service of Latvia (VID).
This initiative became possible thanks to changes in Latvian legislation. On February 16, 2023, the Latvian Seimas urgently and unanimously adopted amendments to the Law on the Support of the Ukrainian Civilian Population. They allowed the transfer to Ukraine of vehicles that became the property of the state, in particular, those that were confiscated from drivers arrested while intoxicated.
After the entry into force of these amendments, the Latvian government made several decisions on the transfer of cars to Ukraine. According to VID, the transferred vehicles are valued at about 2.25 million euros, which indicates a significant amount of support from Latvia.
The former Prime Minister of Latvia Kristianis Karinsh emphasized that the Latvian society fully supports Ukraine, even among those who break the law and get behind the wheel while intoxicated. In addition to Latvia, a similar initiative exists in Lithuania. There they decided to seize cars registered in Russia and hand them over to Ukraine.
