In an interview to TV24 programme Person of the Day, the chairman of Economic Court Miķelis Zumbergs made numerous sharp statements.
It is worth reminding here that the most severe cases of corruption end up in this court.
Statistical data indicates that the biggest risk of corruption currently exists in State Police, specifically the units responsible for monitoring road traffic safety, explained Zumbergs. He also outlined the customs workers of the State Revenue Service (VID). At least 70-80% of all corruption cases that end up in the Economic Court are related to these institutions.
«As for the causes, I will say this –
this is not about a handful of rotten apples, the basket itself needs work.
Respectively, the system is composed in a way that pulls the person into the net of corruption. The person cannot really refuse a bribe, because doing so would push him or her out of this environment,» said the chairman of ELT.
As for the more recent cases involving VID and corruption, Zumbergs said «the should not be swept under the rug».
«Communication from the state should be clear and transparent. People should know cases are being investigated appropriately. This institution, with its enormous authority and little transparency, is fertile soil for various types of corruption. There is no smoke without fire!» the chairman of ELT said in his interview to TV24.
He invited the management of VID to think of ways to make internal procedures more transparent.
The Economic Court is a specialised court. This month it will celebrate its second anniversary.
Also read: Cert.lv warns Latvian residents of scammers pretending to be VID