Latvian official accused of lobbying for Russia and Iran within international security body

Amidst the escalating war in Ukraine, the role of international organizations focused on peace and security is under renewed scrutiny. The United Nations reported in June that the conflict has reached its deadliest point since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022.

According to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, Russia has budgeted $1.85 billion for foreign information influence operations in 2026. These funds are primarily intended to promote Russian narratives within Western political and expert communities. In this context, the responsibility and reputation of international organizations are judged not only by their statements but also by the individuals they include in their structures.

One such figure is Eldars Mamedovs, a Latvian citizen and current council member of the Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs, an organization dedicated to nuclear disarmament and diplomatic dialogue. For years, influential media and politicians have accused Mamedovs not only of political bias but also of systematically using his expert status to lobby for foreign regimes. Analysis of his activities suggests he openly promotes narratives favorable to Russia and its ally Iran, which supplies drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians.

Mamedovs was involved in the "Qatargate" scandal in 2022, one of the largest corruption scandals in the history of the European Parliament, investigating Qatari influence on EU institutions. Qatar is a key ally of Iran. The Socialists and Democrats group, for which Mamedovs worked as an advisor, suspended him from his duties.