KNAB requests criminal prosecution over alleged bribery in Valmiere region

Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has requested that criminal prosecution be initiated against two people suspected of involvement in a possible bribery case in the Valmiere region. According to KNAB, one of the suspects is the head of an accounting company, while the identity of the second person involved has not been disclosed in the bureau's public statement.

What is known about the case

According to information released by KNAB, the alleged bribe reportedly consisted of 1,000 euros in cash as well as alcoholic beverages. The bureau states that there are sufficient grounds to believe a criminal offence related to offering, soliciting or accepting a bribe took place, and has therefore decided to forward the case materials with a request that criminal prosecution be opened.

KNAB has not provided further details about the circumstances of the case, including how the accounting company's head came to be allegedly involved, or what role the second person is suspected to have played.

KNAB's role

KNAB is the state authority responsible for preventing and combating corruption in Latvia, including investigating suspected bribery and other corruption-related offences. The bureau has the authority to gather evidence and subsequently request that competent authorities initiate criminal proceedings against specific individuals once an investigation uncovers suspicion of a criminal act.

At this stage, neither of the two individuals named in KNAB's request has formally been charged — the decision on whether to open criminal prosecution now rests with the responsible authorities.