Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) reports that a total of ten people, including six officials, are involved in the criminal case organised on the 7th of November. This case investigated a procurement organised by the Central Election Commission (CVK) in 2021.
According to KNAB, the criminal case was launched on suspicion of possible large-scale fraud, abuse of official power that cause severe consequences, as well as support of crimes and document forgery.
BNN reported that on the 22nd of November KNAB performed measures. This included the detainment of CVK chairperson Kristīne Bērziņa. The ten people involved in the process, including CVK chairperson and five officials have the right for defence. The chairpersons and one businessman are also presented with security measures that do not involve the deprivation of freedom.
On the 25th of November KNAB requested the Saeima to suspend the chairperson of CVK from her duties.
According to KNAB, investigators are actively cooperating with the Office of the Prosecutor of the Republic of Latvia. In the interest of the investigation, no more information about the criminal case and people involved in it is released.
KNAB reports that the investigation has not revealed any facts that would put the legitimacy of results of the 14th Saeima elections in question.
KNAB also stresses that any person involved in a criminal case has the right for defence. The bureau reminds that the presumption of innocence is valid across all stages of criminal proceedings.
Also read: KNAB briefly detains head of Latvian Central Election Commission