Latvia: MPs fail to criminalise corruption in public procurement

The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has rejected proposed amendments that would have introduced criminal liability for prohibited agreements in public procurement, LETA reports. Prosecutor General Juris Stukans said that the Prosecution Office (LRP) would continue trying to convince MPs of the need for such legislation to prevent corruption and facilitate criminal investigations. The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) and the Competition Council concurred with the Prosecutor General’s statement. Also, the US Embassy in Riga expressed regret that the parliament rejected the proposed legislation, insisting that “criminal liability for corruption should be self-evident.”