Prosecutor seeks 3-year jail term for businessman Trubko who is standing trial for bribery

RIGA - The prosecutor is seeking a jail term of three years for Igors Trubko, board chairman of Rigas Namu Apsaimniekotajs property management company, currently on trial for offering a EUR 2.1 million bribe to Riga councilor Martins Kossovics (For/Progressives).

The prosecutor has also asked the judge to ban Trubko from engaging in any kind of business activity for four years and to fine Rigas Namu Apsaimniekotajs with EUR 124,000.

Trubko's defense lawyer said at the court hearing that Trubko's guilt was not proven and that the defendant should therefore be acquitted and the punishment demanded by the prosecutor rejected. 

Previously, the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) said in a statement to the press that evidence obtained by the anti-corruption bureau suggested that the bribe was offered in exchange for the company's victory in a concession tender, which would allow Rigas Namu Apsaimniekotajs to take over the management of some municipal properties managed by Rigas Namu Parvaldnieks (RNP).

Trubko reportedly attempted to instruct Kossovics on how the rules of the tender should be adjusted so that his company could win the competition.

Kossovics told journalists at that time that he reported the bribe offer to KNAB, stressing that he had devoted all his brief political career to developing a political culture of incorruptibility and that he would stand by this principle.

As reported, in 2021 Rigas Namu Apsaimniekotajs offered to take over the management of some municipal buildings under RNP's management as an experiment. The company was eying 60 apartment houses whose tenants had saved up solid provisions.

Firmas.lv database shows that Trubko since 2018 is the board chairman at Rigas Namu Apsaimniekotajs. Also, he is the beneficial owner of the company. Last year the company turned over EUR 2,613,229 in sales and earned EUR 244,124 in profit.

According to the information published on KNAB's website, Trubko in 2002-2013 supported two political parties, donating in total of EUR 49,904. He supported the Reform Party (Zatlers' Reform Party) and Latvia's Social Democratic Workers Party that was in the Riga City Council coalition at the time.