First they Came For the Economists  

The BBC reports that financial doomerism is considered a borderline form of terrorism in Latvia, with one local economist getting a visit from the secret police and a couple of days in jail for talking about the local currency heading for a fall - Latvia defends economist's arrest.

Latvia has stressed its support for free speech despite the arrest of an economist over comments he made, a spokesman for the prime minister says.

University lecturer Dmitrijs Smirnov told a newspaper the nation's currency, the lat, was heading for devaluation. He advised people to withdraw their money from banks or change it.

Mr Smirnov was later arrested by Latvia's security police, who usually hunt for terrorists and organised criminals, before begin released. Mr Smirnov was locked up for two days last month before he was freed. No decision has been made yet whether to charge him.

In an interview with the BBC World Service, Mr Smirnov said the police accused him of trying to destabilise Latvia's financial system. He said: "I was scared. I am not a lawyer but I also cannot think a man can be detained for his opinion or advice in a newspaper." ...

Mr Smirnov says he will watch what he says in future. Asked if he would change his advice in light of his arrest, he said: "Of course I will be more careful. I don't want again to go to prison."