Aside from Latvian MEP and ex-Mayor of Riga Nils Ušakovs, Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) also suspects ex-vice-mayor of Riga Andris Ameriks, Aleksandrs Brandavs, Leons Bemhens and Emīls Jakrins of criminal acts, as reported by LTV programme De Facto.
The programme reports that Ušakovs and Ameriks are accused of requesting a bribe. KNAB suspects Brandavs of promising a bribe. He was once a member of Ameriks’ party. His name is also associated with Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme (RMS).
At the same time, once the head of Riga City Council Transport Department Jakrins and former head of Rīgas satiksme Bemhens are suspected of other crimes.
De Facto notes that KNAB suspects there may have been illegalities committed before Riga City Council’s decision to introduce discounts for certain passenger categories in the public transport network used by Rīgas satiksme. Ušakovs and Ameriks are suspected of requesting 50% of the compensation provided to RMS for carrying certain categories of passengers in exchange for the favourable decision. Brandavs, who was the beneficial owner of RMS in 2018, promised politicians 30% of the compensation amount.
Ušakovs told the programme by saying he cannot comment KNAB’s decision.
«And, honestly, I cannot understand most of the text – what my involvement in all of this was. But I can confidently tell you: I haven’t requested or taken any bribes, nor have I made any agreements. And there is no room for suspicion,» he said.
Ameriks told the programme he received a notification that he is a suspect in his e-mail. «Basically – two smart guys, two some private persons met somewhere, and one lied to the other that everything has been settled with politicians and that everything is fine. Now a politician finds out about this conversation and becomes a suspect. As for myself, I am prepared to be tested by a lie detector. I can confidently say I only found out about the whole mess now, in my e-mail,» said Ameriks.
When asked if he meant Brandavs and businessman Māris Martinsons as the two smart guys, Ameriks said he knows nothing and will not go into details.
«I don’t know. I won’t go into details now, because it could affect the situation. I only mentioned what I said as an example,» he said.
Brandavs did not answer calls and text messages sent by De Facto. His defence attorney Normunds Duļevskis said nothing as well.
Even before he was asked any questions, Jakrins said to direct all questions to his lawyer. He also confirmed having a status in the criminal procedure. His lawyer, Rinalds Bušs, said suspicions are unclear at this time.
Previously it was reported KNAB has commenced a new criminal procedure against Ušakovs. On the 13th of February the decision was made to divide the criminal procedure commenced in 2019.
Five persons are suspects in the criminal procedure. None of them are under security measures.
More on this topic: Latvian corruption watchdog commences new criminal procedure against Riga’s ex-mayor