 In later years Alksnis claimed to be a principal figure behind the Riga OMON, known for opposing the secession of Latvia from the USSR and actions such as the Soviet OMON assaults on Lithuanian border posts.He was designated persona non grata in Latvia after he left the country in 1992., in "Pravda", 1 November 2002 Since that time he has taken part in Russian politics, representing left-wing and nationalist positions.Alksnis was one of the leaders of the National Salvation Front that united nationalist and communist movements that opposed Yeltsin's policies.