Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs will remain in custody until March 14 on charges of bribe taking after the Riga Central District Court spent six hours discussing his case.
As he was escorted from the court, Lembergs told the waiting media he was not surprised by the decision, given the statements made by the president about his case. His lawyer Janis Grinsbergs said the decision will be appealed.
The Riga Court District prosecutor Krisjanis Rudzitis said Lembergs would remain under arrest for an indefinite period of time.
Lembergs has been accused of large scale bribe taking, blackmail, money laundering and lying about his income. Other high-ranking council officials have also been accused of involvement in the crimes.
