Fresh out of prison, ex-mayor of Ventspils leaves for Germany

Ex-mayor of Ventspils Aivars Lembergs, who was found guilty of numerous crimes by a court of first instance, has left for Munich, Germany, as confirmed by his representative Māris Grudulis.
Riga Regional Court reports that the viewing of Lembergs criminal case will continue on 22 March. It was previously planned to continue viewing the case on 15 March, but due to the reserve judge’s absence it was decided to postpone it.
At a previous hearing a trial investigation commenced after the review of requests from participants of the process. The court decided to interview the victim Ainārs Gulbis at the next hearing.
After reviewing participants’ and their representatives’ submitted requests and opinions, the court of appeal instance plans to interview three more witnesses and then transition to checking written evidence submitted together with the appeal complaint.
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On 21 February 2021 Riga Regional Court as a court of first instance sentenced Aivars Lembergs to five years in prison, as well as confiscation of property and a fine of EUR 20 000. The time Lembergs spent under arrest and house arrest in 2007 and 2008 was added to his prison sentence. Lembergs was originally arrested and put under house arrest for the period between 14 March 2007 and 22 February 2008.
Lembergs was arrested in court after the reading of the verdict. After spending about a year in prison, Lembergs was released on bail on 25 February 2022. The bail amount paid was EUR 100 000.
The court of first instance also decided to have Lembergs pay approximately EUR 64 000 to victims and EUR 22 180 to the state as legal fees.
The former long-time mayor of Ventspils was found guilty in 19 counts and acquitted in 21 counts of the charges brought against him.
Lembergs was found guilty of bribery, forgery of documents, money laundering, forgery at an official position, unauthorized participation in property transactions, as well as providing false information in financial statements.
However, he was acquitted of abuse of office and violation of restrictions imposed on a public official.