KNAB carrying out search at Riga Central Market's administrative building in connection with possible bribery

RIGA - The Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) is searching the administration building of the Riga Central Market on suspicion of bribery, LETA has found out.

KNAB carried out criminal procedural activities at Riga Central Market on Tuesday, Rigas Nami, the municipal company which operates the Riga Central Market, confirmed to LETA.

KNAB tweeted that the search is being carried out in connection with a criminal case launched by the KNAB on September 10, which is investigating alleged bribery, facilitation of bribery, bribery and acceptance of unlawful benefits.

KNAB suspects that officials of the Riga Central Market, together with an employee, allegedly accepted bribes and unlawful benefits from businessmen in order to secure certain trading places for businesses in the market.

The criminal proceedings involve five persons who have the right to legal representation.

The KNAB continues the investigation and consolidate the evidence obtained.

In the interests of the investigation, the KNAB is not commenting further. It is also not yet known what type of security measures have been imposed on those involved.

According to the information published on the website of Rigas Nami, the monthly rental fee for a retail space ranges from EUR 14.88 at the Rupniecibas Market on Pupolu Street to EUR 1,312 for a 2.5 meter retail space at the Meat Pavilion.

Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) informed LETA that the chairman of the board of Rigas Nami had informed him about the KNAB search at the Riga Central Market.

Two of the persons involved have been suspended from their posts.

"I have instructed an immediate audit to ensure full clarity and transparency in this situation," Kleinbergs said.

Riga Vice-Mayor Edvards Ratnieks (National Alliance) has also asked the management of the Riga Central Market for an explanation of the procedural activities taken by the KNAB. "Corruption will not be tolerated in Riga municipal institutions or municipal companies. I call on all to actively inform law enforcement authorities about all such situations," said Ratnieks, who is Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council for Security, Property, Housing and Environment.

LETA archives show that this is not the first time corruption has been exposed in the Riga Central Market. Several years ago, illegal activities were already detected in connection with the payment of fees for trading places. At the end of 2023, a court of first instance sentenced several former officials and employees of the market's administration to actual and suspended sentences for embezzlement and abuse of office.