Figures in Estonia's shell procurement scandal now lead a factory project in Latvia
Two people who were responsible for a disputed artillery shell procurement in Estonia, worth around 60 million euros in advance payments, are now leading a multimillion-euro shell factory project in Latvia, according to Latvian Television's "De facto" programme.
A major scandal has erupted in Estonia over an artillery shell procurement deal. The state paid roughly 60 million euros in advance for the shells, but the delivered munitions turned out to be substandard. The affair cost Estonia's defence minister his post, and the deals have become the subject of court proceedings. The European Public Prosecutor's Office will also investigate possible violations in the procurement process.
According to Latvian Television's programme "De facto", two people who were directly responsible for this disputed procurement in Estonia are now in charge of a separate, multimillion-euro project: the establishment of a shell factory in Latvia.
The overlap means that individuals whose conduct in Estonia is now tied to a criminal investigation and a political scandal are currently involved in leading a new defence-industry venture in a neighbouring country. The disclosure raises questions about the vetting of people entrusted with large-scale military procurement and industrial projects in the region, at a time when the Baltic states are significantly increasing investment in defence production and related infrastructure. No further details on the individuals' specific roles or the factory project's current status were provided in the report.
