Latvijas Attīstībai Files Police Complaint Over Ramoliņš's Claims

The party Latvijas Attīstībai (LA) filed a complaint with the State Police on September 30 regarding public statements made by Andris Ramoliņš, owner and board chairman of SIA Stiga RM. In a video shared on social media, Ramoliņš claimed that the then-chairman of the Competition Council (KP), Juris Gaiķis, faced political pressure that affected the purchase deal for the Norupe sawmill.

LA stated that it considers nearly all of Ramoliņš's claims to be false, describing them as unsubstantiated fabrications and defamation. The party specifically denied Ramoliņš's assertion that its board chairman, Juris Pūce, contacted Gaiķis in 2024 regarding Stiga RM and the Norupe deal, stressing that Pūce never called or otherwise communicated with Gaiķis or any Competition Council officials on the matter.

The State Police confirmed that the complaint, submitted on September 30, will be reviewed according to the established legal procedure. Earlier, LA Secretary General Laila Spaliņa had stated that the party had nothing to do with Ramoliņš's troubles and that its lawyers were preparing a complaint over what the party considers the spread of false information ahead of elections.

Background of the deal

In April 2024, Stiga RM purchased the Norupe sawmill from the municipal company Rīgas meži for approximately six million euros through an auction organized by the audit firm KPMG. The deal required review by the Competition Council, which raised no objections. In May 2024, Gaiķis approached the Riga City Council, as the holder of Rīgas meži's shares, regarding information about Ramoliņš that had circulated publicly. Ramoliņš later sued both the Competition Council and Gaiķis, claiming the letter was written to influence the sale. The legal proceedings are ongoing.