Another storm of sorts has started on Twitter – Saeima deputy Ainārs Šlesers from Latvia in First Place is being sharply reminded by users about his “request for PM Krišjānis Kariņš to take responsibility for the information leak from the State Revenue Service databases and resign”.
In response to Šlesers, Twitter users decided to dig up and post some of his own “skeletons in the closet”. “If there as a leak from VID, then it is likely he is the one to blame, not Kariņš, because for years Šlesers has been Russia’s showgirl”.
Twitter user Polittehnologs Mudiņš posted a collage, stating that Šlesers is the last person with the right to “be the first to toss the stone”.
Another Twitter user, who goes by the name Armands Valdmanis, shared screenshots from Šlesers’ Twitter account, in which the politician shared opinions, “fears and concerns” about “poor Russia” a week before its forces invaded Ukraine.
Commenting on Šlesers’ comments on Twitter, some users mentioned that the politician’s “loud statements imply his behind is on fire” and it is sad to see “a former minister to be so illiterate”.
Another Twitter user stressed that clearly Šlesers “is shocked that the possible leak was only from VID system”.
Twitter user a_uu mentioned that “unlike others, whose beauty comes from the inside, Šlesers’ has wisdom coming from the inside”.
Previously Twitter Forbes Magazine publisher in Latvia Katrīna Iļjinska caused a “storm” with her publication on Twitter. She hinted at the next issue of the magazine, asking readers how they would feel if it turned out that VID IT system was managed by a company that has ties to Russia.
Considering this, Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens asked security services to investigate possible leak of personal data from VID, as well as evaluate the security and reliability of VIT IT system.
Prior to the 14th Saeima elections, there was information posted about European parties and politicians who have been financed by the Kremlin for years in efforts “to undermine those countries’ governments”. Among those “recipients” was also Šlesers and his party.
Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has started its own inspection of the publicly reported information.
Constitution Protection Bureau’s director Egils Zviedris mentioned in an interview to Latvijas Radio programme Krustpunktā that, after leaving politics, Šlesers created a company together with Russian Railway, which is engaged in logistical and transport services. Zviedris said if Šlesers had accepted funding for working as an official in this company, it is a different matter. However, SAB does not have the information published by Novaja Gazeta media.
Information about Šlesers receiving money from Russia surfaced in February 2022. Researching Russian public stock companies’ ties with foreign politicians, Novaja Gazeta newspaper named 14 foreign officials, Šlesers included.
Also read: Diena newspaper owner admits influential and scandalous Latvian politicians have been financing it for years
Twitter users remind Ainārs Šlesers of his “closet full of skeletons”
