The Director of the State Chancellery has been detained today in the so-called forestry case for obstructing criminal procedural actions, but he may be released as early as this evening, General Prosecutor Armins Meisters reported at a press conference on Thursday.
Ten individuals against whom criminal proceedings have been initiated and who were subject to procedural actions today include former State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Krongbergs, Minister of Agriculture and head of the Union of Greens and Farmers (SZF) Armands Krauze, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Girts Kruminsh, Deputy Head of the Strategy and Support Department of the Ministry of Agriculture Ilze Silamikele, former Chairman of the Board of JSC "Latvijas Valsts meži" (LVM) Peters Putnins, Chairman of the Board of LVM Zane Drinķe, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of LVM Valdis Luks, Vice President of the Latvian Federation of Woodworking Industry Kristaps Klaus, official of the forestry enterprise "Pata" Reinis Muiznieks, and owner of "Pata" Uldis Mierkalns.
It has already been reported that Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity), who announced her resignation on Thursday, had previously relieved Krauze of his duties, stating that she cannot "tolerate any shadow of suspicion over ministers." She also announced that Krongbergs has been temporarily suspended from his position.
The General Prosecutor's Office is conducting criminal proceedings initiated regarding possible criminal acts related to the abuse of office and inaction in providing unlawful support to the forestry industry.
The Prosecutor's Office reported that procedural actions have been carried out within the framework of the criminal proceedings, including searches at the residences and workplaces of several individuals, including those of Krauze and Krongbergs.
Given the volume of upcoming procedural actions, the Bureau for Prevention and Combating Corruption has been involved in their execution.
On November 20 of last year, the General Prosecutor's Office began a prosecutorial review to determine whether state officials acted in accordance with legal requirements when deciding to provide support to the forestry industry. During the review, the likelihood of criminal acts in public service related to the provision of unlawful support to the forestry industry by adjusting prices in long-term contracts with LVM was established, the Prosecutor's Office reported. In this regard, the General Prosecutor's Office initiated criminal proceedings for offenses provided for in the section of the Criminal Law concerning crimes in public service.
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