Latvian Prosecution Office will work together with Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) and analyse the reasons as to why investigators had to end the massive criminal case regarding the vehicle procurement procedure organised by Rīgas satiksme, says Prosecutor General Juris Stukāns.
Despite the fact that the case is over, Stukāns reminded that during the investigation evidence was uncovered that later served as the basis for four other criminal procedures. Three of them concluded with requests for criminal prosecution.
Stukāns reminded that KNAB wrote in its press-report about having sent a total 22 requests for legal assistance to 12 countries. The requested information was one of the most important sources of information to assist with the pre-trial investigation.
Because most foreign institutions were slow to respond, it was difficult or completely impossible to acquire evidence.
“We rely on other countries. However, we received no information that would have allowed us to move forward. If we don’t see an option to receive additional evidence and there aren’t any options at all, the case needs to be terminated,” stressed Stukāns.
At the same time, the prosecutor general said if evidence is suddenly acquired in the future, the case could be reopened – as long as the statute of limitations hasn’t come into force by then.
Stukāns did not deny the question of the quality of investigation is on the table. Interviews with investigators and prosecutors will touch this topic as well, because it is necessary to find what was lacking and how the investigation reached this outcome. “This is about the conclusions the management needs to make.
We have to analyse our work,” said the prosecutor general.
Stukāns said that when he too office as Latvia’s Prosecutor General, he stressed the importance of prosecutors to participate in investigations from day one. On top of that, recently he has signed an order that requires supervisory prosecutors to participate in operational cases starting with the development stage.
Previously it was reported that the criminal process was launched in relation to three procurements organised by Rīgas satiksme – the 2016 low-floor tramway procurement (EUR 62 597 477), the 2013 trolleybus procurement (EUR 131 646 135) and the 2013 bus procurement (EUR 75 808 297).
More on this topic: Latvian KNAB closes pre-trial investigation of Rīgas satiksme’s procurement case