At present six persons are recognised as suspects within the criminal proceedings initiated on 14 February 2008 in relation to several allegedly committed offences in relation to decisions taken by the Riga City Council and its structural units.
In relation to bribery as suspects are recognised two current and one former officials of the Riga City Council Development Department: one for elements of the offences stipulated in the Article 320 (3) of the Criminal Law, second – for offences stipulated in the Article 322 (2) and Article 15 (4) and the third – for offences in the Article 320 (3) un 322 (2).
Also as suspects are recognised two private persons (entrepreneurs), both for offences stipulated in the Article 323 (1) of the Criminal Law, and another private person in accordance with the Article 323 (2).[1]
At the moment security measures not related to deprivation of liberty are applied to the suspects, including prohibition to held office in the Riga City Council for the current and former officials suspected in these proceedings.
------------------------------------------------------
[1] Section 320. Accepting Bribes
(1) For a person who commits accepting a bribe, that is, intentionally illegally accepting the offer of material value, property or benefits of another nature, where commission thereof is by a State official personally or through an intermediary, for the performing or failure to perform some act in the interests of the giver or offerer of the bribe or the interests of other persons by using his or her official position,
the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding eight years, with or without confiscation of property.
(2) For a person who commits the same acts, if commission thereof is repeated or on a large scale, or if a bribe is demanded, the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term of not less than three and not exceeding ten years, with confiscation of property.
(3) For a person who commits the acts provided for in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, if they are associated with extortion of a bribe, or if commission thereof is by a group of persons pursuant to prior agreement, or by a State official holding a responsible position,
the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term of not less than eight and not exceeding fifteen years, with confiscation of property.
Section 322. Intermediation in Bribery
(1) For a person who commits intermediation in bribery, that is, of acts manifested in the providing of a bribe received from the giver of the bribe to a person accepting the bribe, or the bringing together of these persons,
the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding six years.
(2) For a person who commits the same acts, if commission thereof is repeated or is by a State official,
the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term of not less than three and not exceeding ten years, with or without confiscation of property.
Section 323. Giving of Bribes
(1) For a person who commits giving of bribes, that is, the providing or offering of material value, property or benefits of another nature, if the offer is accepted, personally or through intermediaries to a State official in order that he or she, using his or her official position, performs or fails to perform some act in the interests of the giver or offerer of the bribe, or in the interests of other persons,
the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding six years.
(2) For a person who commits the same acts, if commission thereof is repeated or is committed by a State official, or also if it has been committed in a group of persons pursuant to previous agreement,
the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term of not less than five and not exceeding twelve years, with or without confiscation of property.