Lembergs trial underway

Feb 18, 2009
By Monika Hanley

RIGA - The Riga Regional Court has started criminal proceedings in the case of Aivars Lembergs, the embattled mayor of Ventspils who is widely seen as one of the country's "oligarchs."
Accused of several offenses, Lembergs' case involves 147 volumes of court materials after the court combined two criminal proceedings against him.
Despite the beginning of what may be a long court process, Lembergs does not rule out the possibility of running for mayor again this year.
"Twenty years have passed since I have been mayor. I thought to step out of this, but I do not [want] to be forced to do that," he said.

Linda Austere, an anti-corruption researcher at Providus Centre for Public Policy told The Baltic Times that the elections on June 6 could prove very interesting 's and indicative about society's views on corruption.
"It could be a very interesting election and will [reveal] the priorities of the society. It's an economic crisis, no one trusts the government. So what do people value most? What we see or feel, tangible things. He has done a lot of good for people if you don't consider the ethical aspects," she said.
This case is special among corruption cases in Latvia and shows how the system is changing in dealing with instances of corruption.

"This is one of the few loud and big cases we've seen in the recent years in Latvia. When you get these big corruption cases, then there is a sign of progress," she said.
As with many court proceedings, especially such high-profile ones, Lembergs' may turn into a very long ordeal.
"I hope this won't be the only case where speculation will turn into action on behalf of the government," said Austere.

Before the court reviewed his case on Feb. 16, Lembergs shared some of his views about the current political situation with reporters, calling much of the activities a political show.
"Such activities such as ultimatums, requirements, restructuring, and optimization are political show and at present the country does not need political shows," Lembergs told journalists.
Lembergs has most recently been charged with abusing his powers of office, counterfeit documents and graft.
Earlier charges include extortion and accepting bribes, the total amount of which is 239,670 lats (341,000 euro). He is also charged with having laundered some 5 million lats.

Accompanying him in court on the first trial day was Lembergs' son, Anrijs Lembergs, and businessman Ansis Sormulis, who has also been charged in the case.
Lembergs denies all the charges, saying the investigation and trial are politically motivated.
At the beginning of the trial, Lembergs demanded that three prosecutors be removed and replaced. Lembergs said he has sued the three prosecutors for defamation of character, and that therefore the prosecutors would be biased in their judgment.

The court turned down his request.

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