Court remands businessman Martinsons in custody

RIGA - The Riga Regional Court on Thursday decided to remand businessman Maris Martinsons, a suspect in the criminal case on Rigas Satiksme municipal public transport company, in custody.

Martinsons’ attorneys Didzis Vilemsons refused to comment on the court decision, while attorney Aivars Purmalis said that Martinsons still claims he is not guilty, but has provided information on the case. Purmalis though added that it is still not clear in the case which Rigas Satiksme official has received the bribe.

The court decision is final. The court, however, in two months has to revise whether the suspect still has to be remanded in custody or the security measure can be changed.

As reported, Martinsons was detained in early December.

The Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) in December also detained Igors Volkinsteins, head of the Rigas Satiksme municipal public transport company's infrastructure maintenance and development department, former Rigas Satiksme CEO Leons Bemhens, and Skoda Transportation manager Vladimir Kozak.

The Corruption Prevention Bureau has started a criminal case on three procurement tenders organized by Rigas Satiksme: 2016 tender to buy low-floor trams for a total of EUR 62,597,477, 2013 tender to buy trolley-buses for a total of EUR 131,646,135, and one more 2013 tender to buy buses worth EUR 75,808,297. The criminal procedure investigates bribery and money laundering in relation to these procurement tenders.