By the order of Prosecutor General Armin Meisters, the investigation regarding the use of the VIP lounge at the airport by Prime Minister Evika Silina during her stay abroad will be conducted by the Prosecutor General's Office.
In mid-April, the Bureau for Prevention and Combating Corruption (BPBK) announced that it would investigate the claims of former State Chancellery Director Janis Citskovskis regarding the use of the VIP lounge at Amsterdam Airport for the needs of the Prime Minister, as well as the allegation that former Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins demanded payment for the use of the VIP lounge for his daughter.
The BPBK confirmed to the LETA agency that, in accordance with the order of the Prosecutor General, the Prosecutor General's Office will conduct the investigation regarding the use of the Silina VIP lounge. According to the Prosecutor General's order, the BPBK sent the information obtained during the investigation to the Prosecutor General's Office.
The Prosecutor's Office informed the LETA agency that the investigation is ongoing.
As reported, the stay of Silina, her advisor Ieva Ziberga, and the accompanying bodyguard in the VIP lounge at Amsterdam Airport on their way to and from the USA in March 2024 cost 4,184 euros, including value-added tax, according to documents available to the LETA agency.
VIP services were used on March 10 and 15, and one invoice was issued for both occasions, which was billed to the State Chancellery by the Latvian Embassy in the Netherlands. The invoice was signed by the Latvian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Solvita Aboltina, and it was paid on April 19.
The State Chancellery confirmed to the LETA agency the use of the VIP lounge, stating that it was justified for protocol and security reasons. The expenses of the State Chancellery for the Prime Minister and the head of the bureau amounted to over 3,100 euros in total, while the expenses for the accompanying security personnel were covered by the relevant agency.
It was also reported that former State Chancellery Director Janis Citskovskis reproaches Silina for the unjustified use of the VIP lounge at Amsterdam Airport.
Citskovskis stated that he repeatedly pointed out the inadmissibility of unjustified expenses and refused to pay the invoice received for VIP services, but he was removed from office, and later the payment of the invoice was approved by another official.
Citskovskis added that in a similar manner, former Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins demanded payment for the use of the VIP lounge for his daughter, which was not lawful.
In turn, Silina indicated on Twitter that, considering the current legal proceedings, including the criminal case in which Citskovskis is accused, his statements should be regarded as a defense tactic.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Citskovskis's claims are not true and added that she would consider the possibility of filing a lawsuit for defamation.
When asked if she uses airport VIP lounges while performing her duties as Prime Minister, Silina replied in the "900 seconds" program on TV3 that such a privilege is granted to high-ranking officials in accordance with regulations. Such a practice exists worldwide, and in her opinion, it is normal.
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