RIGA, March 25 (RAPSI) - The Latvian Department of Citizenship and Immigration Issues has begun the citizenship revocation process for Benes Aijo, activist in the Crimean self-defense forces, Delfi online media reports Tuesday quoting department spokesperson Zane Zeimule.

According to Zeimule, Latvian citizenship can be revoked if the person serves for a foreign army or joins a foreign military organization without government permission.

In an interview with radio station Baltkom, Aijo claimed that he volunteered for the Crimea self-defense force.

On March 17, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing Crimea as an independent state, following a referendum Sunday that saw voters overwhelmingly support secession from Ukraine and reunification with Russia. On March 18, leaders of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Putin signed a treaty unifying Crimea with Russia.

On March 21, Putin officially signed the bills on the accession of the Crimean peninsula and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation into law.

Crimea, a largely Russian-speaking republic within Ukraine, was part of Russia until it was given to Ukraine by Khrushchev in 1954. Putin said in an official address to federal and regional officials that the decision was made with clear violations of the constitutional standards at the time.

Crimea moved for independence from Ukraine after having refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new government that came to power following the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovich in February.