Police detain several persons for issuing Covid-19 certificates to several hundred residents who were not vaccinated

RIGA - The State Police earlier this month detained several persons, including two nurses, for issuing Covid-19 certificates to hundreds of residents who were actually not vaccinated against Covid-19, the Chief of the State Police Armands Ruks told reporters today.

The Economic Crime Bureau detained three women, born in 1972, 1974 and 1976, one of which was a nurse, at a Covid-19 vaccination center at the beginning of August.

The investigators had established that two of the women were looking for people who did not want to be vaccinated but were ready to pay for a Covid-19 certificate, they also were the ones to accept money from them. The nurse at the vaccination center imitated administering vaccines to these people.

The three women then divided the money among themselves. The payment for a Covid-19 certificate was EUR 200.

Officers carried out several searches, seizing EUR 10,000 in cash and other evidence.

The three women were released ono their own recognizance, but they will not be allowed to work at Covid-19 vaccination centers. The police believe that at least 200 people have been issued certificates stating that they have received the first Covid-19 vaccines, even though they have not been vaccinated.

In another criminal case, Riga Region Police Administration's officers detained three persons and carried out 12 searches, seizing dozens of Covid-19 certificates, more than EUR 10,000 in cash, different documents, several hard drivers, and others.

Three persons born in 1978, 1964 and 2000 have been detained in the case, including one nurse. The police believe that they have issued Covid-19 certificates to several dozen people without actually administering the vaccines.

Two of these persons are remanded in custody.

In yet another criminal case, the police this pasts July detained a person born in 1974 who tried to bribe a physician for giving him a Covid-19 certificate, without actually receiving the vaccine. The person has been released on his own recognizance.

The police are asking all residents who have received Covid-19 certificates without getting vaccinated against the coronavirus to come forward and cooperate with the investigators, and thereby possibly avoid criminal prosecution.