Probe of prosecutor general sets precedent

RIGA – After two false starts, Chief Supreme Court Judge Andris Gulans finally ordered an investigation into the work of Prosecutor General Janis Skrastins on Jan. 31.

The probe, which will be conducted by Supreme Court Judge Voldemars Cizevskis, marks the first time that the prosecutor general's office has been legally scrutinized.

Parliament's investigation commission, headed by Member of Parliament Janis Adamsons, first called for an investigation into in December.

Adamsons has criticized Skrastins' work since the commission pursued accusations of a pedophilia ring involving politicians back in November.

Under the law on the prosecutor general office's, either the Chief Supreme Court Judge or one-third of the MP's can call for an investigation.

Gulans rejected the commission's first application because MP's failed to send the Supreme Court the details of what must be investigated.

The second application, filed more than two weeks after Skrastins resigned on Jan. 3, did not have the dates beside the signatures of the MP's.

Adamsons submitted a third and final application in the last week of January, which Gulans accepted.

The commission has asked for an investigation into three specific areas: the work of prosecutors Biruta Ulpe and Olgerts Sabansks (who resigned as Chief Criminal Prosecutor immediately after Skrastins tendered his resignation); the relations between the prosecutor general and the president, who, once or twice, asked Skrastins for information but was received no response; and the work of Skrastins.

Cizevskis must finish his work by March 1 at which time his findings will be presented at a general meeting of the Supreme Court.

Yet the nature of Cizevskis' investigation is extremely limited, said Vija Jakobsone, vice-chair of the Sworn advocates council.

"It's only [investigating] his procedures. It's not a criminal case," she said.

Jakobsone claimed the investigation remains important: "What will be the decision of the Supreme Court? If the decision will be that there were some mistakes in his work, it's very bad for the prosecutor general."

She said if Cizevskis discovers Skrastins made mistakes and did terrible work, Skrastins will be forced to leave his job.

Yet Skrastins has already resigned; he is in the midst of serving the last two months of his term as is required by the law on the prosecutor general's office.

"It's not a normal situation," said Jakobsone, "but Parliament might look at this situation as a problem."