Appeals court upholds prison sentences for Rimšēvičs and Martinsons in bribery case

The Riga Regional Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal in the bribery case against former Bank of Latvia governor Ilmārs Rimšēvičs and construction businessman Māris Martinsons, leaving the first-instance prison sentences in place. In his closing statement, Rimšēvičs had earlier argued that the case failed to prove when, where and for what bribes were paid.

First-instance ruling

At the end of 2023, the Riga District Court in Jūrmala sentenced Rimšēvičs to six years in prison plus one year of probation supervision, and ordered confiscation of his properties in Garkalne and Ventspils municipalities as well as an apartment in Jūrmala. Martinsons received a five-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay over 150,000 euros, while 3.1 million euros will be recovered from his company "MM investīcijas" as a coercive measure. The court also asked police to open criminal proceedings against former Trasta komercbanka board member Viktors Ziemelis over alleged false testimony. Both defendants deny guilt.

Background of the case

Rimšēvičs and Martinsons were detained by Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) in February 2018. Rimšēvičs was charged with taking bribes and laundering criminally obtained funds, while Martinsons was charged with aiding bribery, acting as an intermediary and receiving 10% of the bribe sum. The case originated from a report by representatives of Trasta komercbanka, who were themselves exempted from criminal liability for voluntarily coming forward.

According to the prosecution, a bank shareholder offered Rimšēvičs a paid trip to Kamchatka in 2010 in exchange for help with matters involving the Financial and Capital Market Commission. In 2012, Rimšēvičs allegedly demanded 500,000 euros for similar assistance, but since he could not fully deliver, only half — 250,000 euros in cash — was paid. Prosecutors say Rimšēvičs used these funds to secretly become a co-owner of a property purchased through Martinsons' company at Baznīcas iela 2 in Jūrmala.