Russian-Latvian dual citizen and billionaire Pjotrs Avens has requested that the State Police initiate criminal proceedings against Foreign Minister Baiba Braže (New Unity) for defamation, in connection with comments she made to the newspaper Diena.
Avens had previously issued a press statement criticizing Braže’s remarks to Diena, asserting that the politician unjustly accused him of corrupt ties with the highest levels of Russian political leadership and of money laundering.
In the complaint submitted to the police, obtained by the LETA news agency, Avens cites the following statement from the newspaper article: “To illustrate how dangerous Avens’ removal from the sanctions list would be, the Foreign Minister briefly told Diena: ‘He is Putin’s personal banker. That is Putin’s money they are laundering.’”
The billionaire argues that such claims, disseminated by Braže, are false fabrications that damage his reputation. In the complaint, Avens states that he has never been involved in money laundering or any other criminal activity – especially not in the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Avens has asked the police to initiate a criminal case in connection with the claim that he is Putin’s personal banker and that he launders Putin’s money.
He has requested that proceedings be initiated under the Criminal Law article on defamation,
and that those responsible be identified and held legally accountable.
As previously reported, the European Union Court annulled the EU Council’s 28 February 2022 decision to impose sanctions on Avens and his business partner Mikhail Fridman. Shortly afterward, Latvia filed appeals in the sanctions cases against both Avens and Fridman.
Latvia’s Ministry of Justice previously explained that, at the time the sanctions were imposed, preliminary evidence had been obtained indicating that both Avens and Fridman had actively provided material or financial support to Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilization of Ukraine.
Read also: Avens: Latvian Minister is trying to “cement” my place on the sanctions list