On Tuesday, the 20th of December, the prosecutor responsible for the case will request the court to cease the criminal case against Gloria Grevcova for reporting false information to the Central Election Commission and ask the 14th Saeima for permission to commence criminal prosecution of (CVK).
On Tuesday Riga City Court plans to hold the first hearing of Grevcova’s criminal case. Grevcova will not be able to attend it, as she is on sick leave. If the judge agrees with the prosecutor’s request, the trial will be put on hold indefinitely and the Saeima will have to decide on whether or not to permit Grevcova’s criminal prosecution.
As previously reported, Grevcova was presented with a security measure not involving deprivation of freedom. At the moment she is not allowed to change her residence address and leave the country.
The crime is punishable with short-term prison sentence from 15 days to three months, community service (40-280 hours) or a fine equal to up to 100 minimal wage amounts in Latvia. Considering that the person in question refused to comment on criminal charges, the decision was made to submit the case to the court, as previously reported by the prosecution office.
Despite the charges, Grevcova is still able to continue serving as Saeima deputy. Rules of Order of Saeima dictate that a deputy accused of a crime is considered expelled from the parliament the day a guilty verdict is announced. Latvia has courts of three instances.
On the 7th of October 2022 Latvia’s State Police commenced criminal proceedings in accordance with Section 272 of the Criminal Law. After a lengthy investigation and having collected sufficient evidence, the criminal case was submitted to the prosecution office on the 17th of October to commence criminal prosecution.
It was determined in the pre-trial investigation that, as a candidate in the 14th Saeima elections, Grevcova had provided false information about herself to the Central Election Commission.
Multiple witnesses were interviewed during the investigation, including officials of multiple different institutions. One person is considered a suspect in this criminal case. This person was presented with a security measure that does not involve deprivation of freedom.
Grevcova, who is a member of For Stability! political party, lied about her workplace. She intentionally provided false information to CVK, as previously reported by TV3 News. Grevcova also provided false information about her education. As confirmed by public relations and communications manager of Latvian Academy of Sport Education Ilze Āķe-Vīksne, Grevcova’s name is not among the education institution’s graduates.
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Prosecutor to request Saeima’s permission to commence Grevcova’s criminal prosecution
