The experience of the recent municipal elections and the latest news related to IT system procurements create a sufficiently favorable background for more easily challenging the integrity of election results, said Janis Sarts, director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre, in an interview with the Latvian Television program "Morning Panorama," as reported by LETA.
The risk of external interference in the upcoming elections has been assessed as real.
He also explained that the system of interference has become simpler, as artificial intelligence plays an increasingly significant role. According to Sarts, there is a transition in this matter "from a craft level to industrial scales" — opportunities are not only expanding but also becoming cheaper.
As reported, the State Police, as part of a criminal process initiated by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) on suspicion of fraud in IT procurement amounting to 1.5 million euros, detained 21 people on Monday, including public officials. For two individuals, arrest has been applied as a preventive measure, one of whom is an official.
Meanwhile, the Bureau for Prevention and Combating Corruption (KNAB) is investigating a case of disclosing confidential information, which involves the State Secretary of the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, Edvins Balševics, an official of the State Agency for Digital Development, and an entrepreneur.
The EPPO press release regarding the fraud case in IT procurement amounting to 1.5 million euros notes that the implementation of certain projects may pose potential risks to national security, as it could affect elections and democratic processes.
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