Prison sentence final for ex-Daugavpils council chairman Eigims in bribery case

A guilty verdict has entered into force in a criminal case investigated by Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) against Rihards Eigims, the former chairman of the Daugavpils city council. He was found guilty of demanding a €10,000 bribe from businessman Jānis Sprūga and of illegally keeping firearm ammunition. The verdict became final on 30 September, when the Senate of the Supreme Court, ruling on a cassation appeal against the Riga Regional Court's judgment, left it unchanged. The Senate's decision cannot be appealed.

Circumstances of the case

The case materials show that the former official demanded a bribe from the businessman in exchange for favourable decisions related to construction procurement by the Daugavpils city council. The KNAB investigation also established that Eigims had kept firearm ammunition without the required permit. The bureau opened the criminal proceedings on 17 September 2018.

The businessman, in turn, was found guilty of promising a bribe after it had been demanded.

Penalties imposed

Eigims was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, confiscation of a vehicle and a vehicle trailer, and a fine of €2,220. He is also barred for one year from holding a state official position in state and municipal institutions and companies, and is placed under probation supervision for one year.

The businessman received one year of probation supervision. The company Modus Būve SIA was subjected to a coercive measure of €14,800 to be recovered.