The so-called “Karins flight case” has reached court, with former director of the State Chancellery Jānis Citskovskis as the only accused. He emphasizes that the accusations are unclear to him and points to numerous ambiguous aspects and unanswered questions during the investigation. Citskovskis expressed his views on the situation in the program “900 seconds” on TV3.
“After a year and a half of investigation, I received a three-page indictment, which mainly describes Karins’ business trips. I asked the prosecutor’s office to explain what exactly I am being accused of, but I was denied — I will only find out in court,” says Citskovskis.
He emphasizes that he did not participate in the decision-making regarding the conditions under which then-Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš went on foreign business trips, and he does not see how he could have stopped his decision to use special flights.
“I don’t understand how I could have canceled the Prime Minister’s decision. I asked the prosecutor’s office to indicate on what legal basis I would have such authority,” says Citskovskis.
He also notes that there are several oddities and unanswered questions in the case, including about possible political influence.
“I see that in these processes involving high-ranking officials, political pressure emerges. This raises doubts about whether we are treated fairly and equally,” points out the former head of the office.
Citskovskis admits that he regrets the most that he did not leave his position earlier. “I probably should have left earlier. Seeing how people repeatedly behave in a certain way and betray their colleagues, it became clear that we do not share common values,” he says.
Nevertheless, he intends to defend his position to the end: “I am confident in my innocence and will go until my last breath.”
Regarding his successor Raivis Kronbergs, who now heads the State Chancellery, Citskovskis speaks succinctly: “I will refrain from making judgments for purely collegial reasons. Good luck to him. It is not easy for him either — I hope he does not suffer my fate.”
