The criminal case involving the acting head of Riga City Council’s Department of Outdoor Space and Mobility Jānis Vaivods also involves some private person, who is accused of offering a large bribe, as LETA was told by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB).
This person, like Vaivods, is applied with a security measure that does not involve deprivation of freedom.
KNAB does not reveal the status of the official who may have been offered a bribe. This week, however, KNAB mentioned in a press-statement that the criminal procedure was commenced only for the bribe offer, not acceptance. At the same time, LETA wrote multiple times that there were previous cases handled by KNAB in which officials reported bribes to KNAB after accepting them, thereby securing the status of witness.
LETA also previously reported that in the pre-trial investigation KNAB checked information about a possible bribe offer from the acting head of the Department of Outdoor Space and Mobility to another state official in exchange for them using their power and make a decision favourable to the interests of the party offering the bribe.
KNAB commenced the criminal procedure on the 8th of January about a possible bribe offer. KNAB did not reveal the possible size of the bribe. However, according to the law a large bribe is an amount starting with EUR 35 000.
Two persons involved in the criminal procedure have the right for defence.
According to unofficial information available to LETA, Vaivods may have gotten himself involved in this case to help resolve an ownership dispute.
On the 22nd of February Riga City Council failed to vote on restoration of ownership rights over 22 plots of land around the airport.
The municipal council received an application from the prosecutor general regarding the illegal privatisation of undeveloped land in the area necessary for the future development of a civil aviation aerodrome of national importance. Riga City Council will decide on the restoration of ownership of 22 plots of land sold at auction, which are necessary for the development of the airport.
According to the prosecution office, the municipality failed to assess the necessity of plots of land for the performance of state administration functions or state or municipal commercial activities during the privatisation process, and all plots of land are located in the territory necessary for the further development of Riga Airport.
The plots of land located near Riga Airport were auctioned off on the 14th of April 2022. They were purchased for EUR 5.7 million by real estate developer Sirin Development company’s partner company Cella investment 3 LLC. Both of these companies are part of Lithuania-based ME Holdingg NT.
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