The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) on has initiated a criminal proceeding against the Chairperson of the Board of the State Stock Company “Latvijas Dzelzsceļš” ( Latvian Railway) for the accepting the offer to take bribe on a large scale (3rd part of the Article 320 of the Criminal Law).

Gained evidence, within the criminal proceeding, indicates that bribe was taken in connection with the procurement of the subsidiary “Latvijas Dzelzsceļš ritošā sastāva serviss” of the “Latvijas Dzelsceļš”.

To suspect person is applied a security measure – detention.

For the investigation interests, more detailed information is not provided.

KNAB states that no person is considered guilty until his guilt of a criminal offence is proved in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law.

Section 320. Accepting Bribes

(1) For accepting a bribe, that is, material values, properties or benefits of other nature, committed by a State official personally or through an intermediary, for an already performed lawful or illegal act or permitted omission in the interests of the giver of the bribe, the person offering the bribe or other persons by using his or her official position, irrespective of whether the accepted or offered bribe was meant for this State official or any other person,
the applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a term up to five years or temporary deprivation of liberty, or community service, or a fine, with deprivation of the right to engage in specific employment or to take up a specific office for a term up to two years.
(2) For accepting a bribe or the offer of a bribe, committed by a State official personally or through an intermediary, prior to the committing or non-committing of a lawful or illegal act in the interests of the giver of the bribe, the person offering the bribe or other persons by using his or her official position, irrespective of whether the accepted or offered bribe was meant for this State official or any other person,
the applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a term up to eight years, with or without the confiscation of property and with deprivation of the right to engage in specific employment or to take up a specific office for a term up to five years.
(3) For a person who commits the acts provided for in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, if they are committed on a large scale or if it has been committed by a group of persons pursuant to prior agreement, or if a bribe has been demanded,
the applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a term of two and up to ten years, with or without confiscation of property and with deprivation of the right to engage in specific employment or to take up a specific office for a term up to five years.