On Monday, 28 November, Latvian Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) informed of the decision to request the Prosecution Office for Investigation of Public Office Holders Misconduct Offences to commence criminal prosecution of a sworn advocate for possible attempt to bribe a state official.
Evidence acquired by KNAB in the pre-trial investigation indicate:
the privately practising sworn advocate gave an insolvency administrator a bribe of EUR 1 000 on 1 July 2022.
The objective of the act of bribery was having the insolvency administrator use her official status to extend the insolvency process for the client of the sworn advocate.
KNAB submitted the criminal case commenced on 20 May 2022 to the Prosecution Office for Investigation of Public Office Holders Misconduct Offences. Now the prosecution office will need to analyse the case and make a decision – to commence criminal prosecution or not.
KNAB stresses that people involved in any criminal proceedings have the right for defence. The bureau reminds that presumption of innocence is applicable across all stages of criminal proceedings.