Today, four candidates for the position of Prosecutor General of Latvia, interviewed by the Judicial Council, pledged to improve the efficiency of the Prosecutor’s Office and strengthen public trust in its work.
The competition for the position has attracted the current Prosecutor General Juris Stukāns, Constitutional Court judge and former prosecutor Juris Juriss, Chief Prosecutor of the Riga Regional Prosecutor’s Office Armīns Meisters, and former prosecutor of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Other Sectors Jānis Ilsteris.
Ilsteris told the audience that society is living in a time when democratic values are being tested and Latvia’s commitment as a democratic state to fight violence against women is being questioned.
He emphasized that prosecutors must understand the importance of democracy. Ilsteris promised to lead the Prosecutor’s Office toward European values, ensure the timely and effective investigation and supervision of criminal offenses, and strengthen public confidence in the prosecution system.
He also stressed the need to improve the well-being of prosecutors and foster open, collaborative communication between prosecutors at all levels.
Juriss said he was ready to take on this responsibility, noting his unique experience as both a prosecutor and a judge.
He pointed out that the Prosecutor’s Office faces major challenges, including combating the circumvention of sanctions imposed by Latvia and fighting violence against women and domestic violence.
Juriss argued that the Office should conduct annual analyses to determine priority areas for combating crime and improve public communication about the institution’s work and goals. He also stressed the need to improve working conditions and capacity within the prosecution service.
Meisters, the Chief Prosecutor of the Riga Regional Prosecutor’s Office, stated that the prosecution system needs a leader with a strong stance and moral authority, someone who can set an example and enhance the prestige of the institution.
He emphasized that the Prosecutor General must focus on strategic personnel policy and efficient work organization, as currently there are cases where multiple prosecutors are assigned to a single case, which is not a rational use of resources.
He also called for optimization of internal resources,
such as reducing bureaucracy and simplifying criminal procedures. In addition, the Prosecutor General should address domestic violence and national security issues, Meisters said.
Incumbent Prosecutor General Juris Stukāns explained that he is seeking reappointment to ensure peace, stability, and continued development.
According to him, during the past five years, significant progress has been achieved, transforming the Prosecutor’s Office into a modern institution and creating the preconditions for effective operations, but these efforts still need to be completed.
He noted that while the Office has been effective in handling minor cases, overall, only about 30% of criminal cases launched each year result in the identification of the perpetrator.
Stukāns believes it is essential to continue implementing artificial intelligence tools
and to strengthen international cooperation in criminal justice.
As previously reported, the Judicial Council is expected to select one candidate on Friday to recommend to the Saeima (Parliament) for appointment as Prosecutor General.
Stukāns’ term ended on the 11th of July, and in the first competition earlier this year, no candidate received sufficient support from the Council to be nominated to the Saeima.
The earlier candidates were Stukāns, Uvis Kozlovskis from the Department for Operational Control and International Cooperation, and Aivars Ostapko, Chief Prosecutor of the same department. None were barred from reapplying.
The Judicial Council announced a second competition for the position in mid-July.
Former Chair of the Riga Regional Court’s Criminal Cases Panel, Stukāns was unanimously approved by the Saeima as Prosecutor General on the 18th of June, 2020.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office Law,
the Prosecutor General is appointed by the Saeima for a five-year term
following a proposal by the Judicial Council. The same person may serve no more than two consecutive terms.
Until a new Prosecutor General is appointed, Chief Prosecutor Arvīds Kalniņš is serving as acting Prosecutor General.
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