Riga City Court to resume trial of Latvian Music Academy lecturer Māris Kupčs on 12 November

The Riga City Court will continue hearing a criminal case against Māris Kupčs, a lecturer at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (JVLMA) and head of its Early Music department, on 12 November at 9:30 a.m. in a closed session, news agency LETA reported. He has been suspended from work and is accused of sexually exploiting students. Prosecutors did not name the defendant but said the man is charged with rape and sexual violence.

What the indictment says

According to the prosecutors, the man invited a first-year student to his hotel room during a study trip. She accepted, trusting him as her teacher. Alcohol that he had obtained beforehand was consumed in the room, and she became heavily intoxicated. The indictment states that he exploited her helpless state, used physical force and committed sexual acts against her.

After the trip, prosecutors say, he repeatedly suggested that her education and career depended on cooperating with him, including through a sexual relationship. To win her trust, he sent text messages, paid for lunches and bought gifts. Over a long period, in hotel rooms, sexual acts were carried out against her will.

The charges also concern another first-year student. He invited her to what he described as a festive event, falsely claiming other people would attend. It turned out to be a hotel room, where he used physical force and committed sexual acts.

Prosecutors point out that no one is considered guilty until guilt has been established under the procedure set out in the Criminal Procedure Law.

Background

On 8 March 2024, the Latvian Television programme "Kultūršoks" aired a report on sexual harassment at the academy, with seven women interviewed anonymously. Five days later the State Police received a request from the JVLMA rector and opened a preliminary check. Police had information about at least five possible victims, but only two were willing to cooperate. Testimony was collected from more than 60 people, and on 24 January 2025 the case was sent to prosecutors to begin criminal prosecution.

JVLMA suspended Kupčs, and the Riga Regional Court ruled that he be reinstated because the university had applied the wrong provision of the Labour Law. The Supreme Court declined to initiate cassation proceedings. He is currently suspended without pay. Rector Guntars Prānis later resigned, and Ilona Meija was elected the new rector.