Court suspends Bartaševičs criminal case after he becomes a Saeima deputy

A court has suspended proceedings in the criminal case against Bartaševičs, the former mayor of Rēzekne who is now a member of the Saeima, Latvia's parliament. The decision rests on Article 17(1) of the Saeima's Rules of Procedure and Article 120(1) of the Criminal Procedure Law. The court noted that criminal prosecution against him began before his mandate as a deputy was confirmed.

The charges

Bartaševičs is accused of disclosing restricted-access information. According to the indictment, he was prompted by his wife and instructed a municipal employee to obtain such information from two databases needed for official duties. The employee, misled about the real purpose of the request, carried out the order and passed the data to the mayor, who disclosed it further without legal grounds.

His wife, Olga Bartaševiča, is also charged, with incitement to disclose information that may not be disclosed. Both are subject to a ban on leaving the country and a ban on meeting certain people as preventive measures.

Bartaševičs is further accused of knowingly failing, from 2008 to 2024 (16 years), to state in public official declarations property bought abroad and other substantial income. The investigation, carried out with Eurojust, the EU agency for judicial cooperation, and authorities of the country concerned, found that the declarations omitted real estate co-owned with a family member abroad, related transactions, part of a loan issued to a family member and other dealings with private individuals.

Witnesses in Bulgaria

The case has involved international legal cooperation with Bulgaria. Two Bulgarian citizens earlier testified by video link with two Bulgarian courts. A witness summoned to the previous hearing at the Sofia City Court failed to appear, and the court decided to bring him to the next hearing by force to testify by video link. The defence has also asked to question three more witnesses in Bulgaria.

Other proceedings

Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau began this criminal process on 20 December 2023. For disclosing non-public but not confidential information, a public official faces up to one year in prison, probation supervision, community service or a fine.

Separately, the Latgale District Court in Daugavpils is hearing a case against Bartaševičs for exceeding official powers in the Rēzekne recreation centre project.