Trial of Suspended Music Academy Lecturer Kupčs Continues in Riga

The Riga City Court will resume a closed hearing on 12 November at 9:30 a.m. in the criminal case against Māris Kupčs, a suspended lecturer at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (JVLMA) and head of its Early Music Department. He is charged with sexually exploiting students, specifically with rape and sexual violence. When announcing the case, prosecutors did not name the defendant.

What the indictment alleges

According to the prosecutor's office, the man invited a first-year student to his hotel room during a study trip. She accepted because she trusted him as her teacher. In the room they drank alcohol he had obtained beforehand, and the student became heavily intoxicated. The indictment states that he exploited her helpless state, used physical force and performed sexual acts with her.

Prosecutors say he then repeatedly told the student that her education and career depended on cooperating with him, including through a sexual relationship. At the same time he sent her text messages, paid for lunches and bought gifts. The indictment says the acts continued over a long period in various hotel rooms, against her will.

The indictment also describes a case involving another first-year student, whom he invited to a supposed celebratory event, misleading her that others would attend. The venue turned out to be a hotel room, where, according to the indictment, he used physical force.

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

Investigation and employment dispute

On 13 March 2024 the State Police received a request from the academy's rector, and a preliminary check began. Police have information about at least five possible victims, but only two were willing to cooperate. Testimony was collected from more than 60 people. On 24 January 2025 the case was sent to the Riga Regional Prosecutor's Office for prosecution.

The academy suspended and later dismissed Kupčs, but the Riga Regional Court ruled that he should be reinstated, finding that the institution had applied the wrong provision of the Labour Law. The Supreme Court declined to open cassation proceedings. According to Latvian Television, Kupčs is currently suspended without pay.

The JVLMA council later expressed no confidence in rector Guntars Prānis, who then resigned. Ilona Meija has been elected as the new rector.