Prosecutor: Siliņa's use of VIP lounge did not waste state funds

The Prosecutor General's Office has completed a review into the potential misuse of state budget funds for VIP lounge services at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport used by former Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) and her then-office head Ieva Zīberga. The review found no illegal spending.

The investigation aimed to determine whether the use of premium airport services during official trips constituted unlawful expenditure and whether any individuals should be held accountable. The prosecutor's office examined documents and information from the State Chancellery, the State Audit Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chancellery of the President.

The conclusion considered current regulations, security requirements, diplomatic protocol standards, and the fact that the host country often arranges such services. Additionally, a cost-benefit assessment had been conducted, making the coverage of VIP lounge costs permissible.

Earlier reports indicated that the VIP lounge visits for Siliņa, Zīberga, and a security guard during a trip to the United States in March 2024 cost €4,184 (including VAT). The State Chancellery stated that the actual costs for the prime minister and office head amounted to €3,126.06: outbound €760 (excl. VAT) for Siliņa and €530 for Zīberga, and return €684 and €477 respectively. The security guard's costs of €1,055.12 were covered by the security agency. The total invoice was paid by the Latvian embassy in the Netherlands and signed by Ambassador Solvita Āboltiņa.