Alleged abuse case involving minor becomes source of political dispute in Riga City Council

Questions are being raised in Latvia over the alleged exploitation of an underage girl, in which former Riga city councillor Mārtiņš Eņģelis is involved. He represented the party "Progresīvie" (The Progressives) in the Riga City Council, the municipal government of the capital. The case is reported by "de facto", a programme of Latvian Television (LTV).

Investigation and political disputes

The case has led not only to a police investigation but also to political disagreements within the council. The programme's assessment is that the story of alleged abuse has become a political weapon in the council's internal struggles. As the case concerns a possible crime that police are investigating, the presumption of innocence applies.

Impact on the young woman

The programme also points to the consequences for the girl. A publication about the case has made her recognisable to a wider circle of people. According to "de facto", this has caused her to relive the distressing experience.

The source gives no detailed information on the circumstances of the case, the course of the investigation or statements from the parties involved. These may emerge as the police continue their work.