Number of criminal procedures launched by Corruption Prevention Bureau has been largest in past five years

RIGA – The number of criminal procedures launched by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) last year was the largest in the past five years, according to KNAB report on its performance in 2018.

KNAB last year started 38 criminal procedures, including 17 of them launched at the reports of the KNAB department, 12 cases were launched at applications of individuals, and nine were separated from the existing criminal procedures.

KNAB also received three criminal procedures from other law enforcement institutions and handed over six criminal procedures to other institutions.

"The number of criminal procedures launched last year was the highest one in the past five years which can be explained with proactive steps in discovering crimes and analyzing information," KNAB said in its report.

Criminal procedures most often were launched on such crimes as bribe taking, bribe giving, fraud and money laundering. Most of the cases were launched on possible illegal actions in relation to public procurements, implementation of functions of courts and law enforcement institutions, illegal action with the state and municipal properties, and corruption in the financial sector.

Last year KNAB sent 24 criminal cases against 70 persons for criminal prosecution, while nine criminal cases were closed.