Mayor of Jēkabpils Accused of Illegal Possession of Pneumatic Weapon

The mayor of Jēkabpils, Aivars Ragainis, faces charges for illegally storing a pneumatic weapon. The case is tied to the European Public Prosecutor's Office investigation into potential corrupt practices in the construction of Jēkabpils' flood barrier.

During a search of Ragainis' residence, authorities found a pneumatic weapon that lacked the required documentation. In an interview with Latvian Television, the politician stated that he purchased the weapon about 20 years ago and believed he was acting within the law. He noted that he is a hunter and kept the pneumatic gun in a safe alongside his hunting rifle, for which all permits are in order.

Ragainis suggested that the case will likely proceed to court through normal procedures and that he will not negotiate a penalty with the prosecution, as such an agreement would lead to immediate removal from office. Earlier reports indicated that in 2025, five individuals, including Ragainis, were detained in connection with the investigation into the dam construction.