Saeima votes to strip MP Adamsons of immunity; suspected of spying for Russia

RIGA - A majority of Saeima members today voted in favor of stripping MP Janis Adamsons (Harmony) of immunity on suspicion of spying for Russia.

The Prosecutor General’s Office requested the parliament’s permission to search, detain and take into custody Adamsons.

Saeima granted the prosecution’s request by 69 votes to 5, with another four politicians abstaining.

According to MP Janina Kursite-Pakule (National Alliance), Chairwoman of the Saeima Mandates, Ethics and Submissions Committee, Adamsons could be charged with criminal offenses provided for in Article 85 of the Criminal Law - espionage, ie illegal collection of classified information for transfer to a foreign country or foreign organization, or the illegal collection of other information to a foreign intelligence service on its behalf, directly or through another person.

Kursite-Pakule told LETA that the evidence presented at the committee meeting was such that it did not provoke any objections or comments, as has been the case in other instances when it has been decided to lift the immunity of MPs.

Adamsons works on the Saeima's Defense, Interior Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee, but he does not have a clearance for access to classified information, LETA has found out.