Over the weekend, the published video materials related to the Epstein case, including from Riga, caused a wide stir. They capture a minor girl in a bikini. There are suspicions that the video included in the Epstein files was filmed at one of the well-known modeling agencies, whose director refuses to comment on the incident. Will the investigation into the Epstein case in Latvia end in failure?
Over the weekend, the American television channel CNN aired a report about the Epstein files, which features a video filmed in Latvia. It allegedly shows a minor in a bikini, reports TV3 News.
Comments are circulating on the internet that this video was filmed at the modeling agency "Natalie." Earlier, the media reported that one of Epstein's closest associates, Jean-Luc Brunel, an agent for foreign modeling agencies, had been a judge for the "Baltic Beauty" contest organized by the "Natalie" modeling agency, which featured girls aged 14 and older.
TV3 News contacted the agency's director for a comment on the situation and to confirm whether the video was indeed filmed in the agency's premises. No substantial response was received.
"Hello, this is old news that has already been reported on another channel. No further comments," said Eric Meisans, the director of the "Natalie" agency.
A week ago, the head of the State Police reported that within the framework of the criminal proceedings initiated in Latvia regarding the Epstein case, the State Police is preparing requests for legal assistance to be sent to law enforcement agencies in the United States. Journalists reached out to the police to inquire about the progress of the investigation; however, the law enforcement agencies did not provide any comments.
Former head of the State Police, Artis Velshs, emphasizes that the investigation of the Epstein case in Latvia will be extremely complicated. First of all, the events are dated, and many of those involved are abroad. Although Latvian and American law enforcement agencies have historically had good cooperation, it is unclear how it will unfold in this case. But most importantly, whether the victims will want to testify about what happened.
"In such crimes, a lot depends on the willingness of the victim or the survivor to cooperate with the police, the readiness to go through the entire process, which is why many such crimes are latent, unknown, as victims may not report them. Obviously, it is the same here — if a crime occurred, someone may have been sexually harmed but did not report it. A success story here could consist of people finding the strength to come forward even after years — the key is in these victims," Velshs explained.
Former head of the State Police, Aldis Lieluoksis, shares the same opinion — the outcome of the case depends on whether there are people in Latvia who consider themselves victims and come forward, acknowledging that their rights have been violated. Lieluoksis recalls that at one time, the police already had suspicions about violations in modeling agencies. He was surprised by the attitude of parents who willingly involved minors in very revealing photo shoots.
"I remember very well that the police approached both the agencies and primarily the parents who allowed their children, little girls, to be published on the internet in various unnatural poses and clothing — we paid attention to this. I think this is a result and consequence of the madness of that time that engulfed the world and Latvia, when people were not afraid to push their children anywhere without visible supervision and control," Lieluoksis clarified.
Last week, the Norwegian police conducted a search of the property of former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland as part of the investigation into his dealings with Epstein. In Latvia, however, there is silence. Velshs explains that he understands the public's desire to see active police actions, but often the most important investigative actions occur quietly, and it is quite possible that much evidence has already been destroyed.
"These crimes require prolonged operational work, evidence accumulates, the element of surprise is used, sanctioned searches are conducted, computers and evidence are seized. But here everything is based on public information, which means that the other side can actively counteract these measures," Velshs explained.
Given all the circumstances, former high-ranking police officials are quite skeptical about the outcome of the Epstein case investigation in Latvia — it is likely to gradually fizzle out.
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