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…

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Latvia: No evidence on Putin paying opposition MP Slesers

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has failed to find evidence to support allegations that opposition MP Ainars Slesers had received money from Russian President Vladimir Putin, BNS reports. KNAB started the investigation in October 2022 after Dmitry Muratov, editor of Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, alleged that Putin had paid money to several Western…

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Latvia: KNAB recovers EUR 120,000 in Lithuanian military bribery case

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has recovered EUR 120,000 in a bribery case involving a Latvian company attempting to bribe a Lithuanian official, LSM reports. The individual was prosecuted in Lithuania, while KNAB held the Latvian company liable through local courts. The unnamed company had tried to bribe the commander of the Lithuanian…

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Latvia: Valmiera mayor detained on suspicion of defrauding EU funds

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has searched the offices of the municipal administration in Valmiera, LSM reports. KNAB detained Valmiera’s mayor, Janis Baiks, and other officials as part of the criminal investigation. The officials and representatives of several companies are suspected of misappropriating more than EUR 4mn of funds from the European Regional…

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Latvia: Corruption watchdog investigating Latvijas Pasts

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has carried out probes at the state-owned postal company, Latvijas Pasts, LETA reports. KNAB refused to provide further information about the ongoing investigation. The agency stressed that there were no criminal proceedings involving employees of Latvijas Pasts currently. Marcis Vilcans, board chairman of Latvijas Pasts, said that the…

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Latvia: KNAB searches Sigulda municipal council in criminal probe

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has conducted a search at the Sigulda municipal council as part of ongoing criminal proceedings, LETA reports. Municipal spokespersons refused to disclose more details, however. According to sources, one municipal councillor and a local businessman were implicated in the criminal investigation. LTV reported that the investigation was looking…

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