Intensive investigation work continues in RS criminal case - Straume

  • 2019-03-01
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Intensive investigation work continues in the Riga Satiksme corruption case, Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) chief Jekabs Straume told the LNT television channel this morning.

He said that the KNAB continues its active work on this case on both the domestic and international levels.

Straume also confirmed that neither Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony), nor former Riga Vice Mayor Andris Ameriks (Honor to Serve Riga) have a status in this case.

He also added that it is not correct for the bureau to comment the political activities of politicians.

As reported, 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.

In early December 2018, the Riga City Vidzeme District Court decided to leave six of the seven suspects in the case in custody - businessman and member of Honor to Serve Riga party Aleksandrs Krjaceks, former Rigas Satiksme's Infrastructure Maintenance and Development Department head Igors Volkinsteins, former Rigas Satiksme board chairman Leons Bemhems, Skoda Transportation manager Vladislav Kozak, businessman Maris Martinsons - who is also implicated in other criminal cases, and businessman Edgars Teterovskis.

Rigas Satiksme board stepped down after the investigation started. Riga Vice Mayor Andris Ameriks (Honor to Serve Riga) stepped down as well. Searches have been conducted in Ameriks’ place of residence, and later also in the office and place of residence of Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony).