Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has recognised several persons as suspects in the framework of criminal proceedings in relation to alleged bribery of Riga municipality officials committed by German car cooperation Daimler AG daughter company EvoBus GmbH officials through intermediaries.
Criminal proceedings were started in 2010 according to provisions of the Chapter XXIV of the Criminal Law "Criminal offences committed in state authority service". During purchase of 117 Mercedes Benz buses for Riga municipality from July 2002- December 2006 German car cooperation Daimler AG daughter company EvoBus GmbH officials through other persons and companies artificially increased tender price thus gaining illegal sources for payments to public officials who have ensured that the company receives the contract.
Currently it has been detected that more than 4,3 million EUR were received by bribery intermediaries however it is alleged that recipients of this money are Riga municipality officials.
Investigation is led in cooperation with officials of the Stuttgart Prosecutors Office and Baden-Württemberg police which investigates bribery of foreign officials by former employees of Mercedes Benz bus manufacturer.
Several investigation activities were conducted in the framework of the criminal proceedings including search of places in Latvia and other countries.
KNAB investigator on basis of collected evidences several persons has recognized as suspects for several offences related to bribery.
With the decision of Riga City Central District Court from 14 February arrest was applied to one of the suspects as security measure.