On 20 May Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) started criminal proceedings concerning illegal activities of several public officials provided in the Criminal Law - laundering of criminally acquired assets, providing false statements in the declaration of public official, misuse of the position, receiving and giving of bribes, illegal participation in property transactions and violation of restrictions imposed on public officials.
Evidence at the disposal of KNAB reveal that public officials and also officials in responsible positions are alleged to take active part in management of several companies, participated in decision making process and received dividends from shares in companies - SIA (limited liability company) "Rīgas tirdzniecības osta", SIA "Zaķusalas Estates", SIA "Jaunrīgas attīstības uzņēmums", SIA "Eurolines", SIA "Baltijas aviācijas sistēmas", SIA "Abi krasti" and other companies ownership of which has not been openly declared.
Materials of criminal proceedings also show that from 2004 public official who is currently elected member of the parliament is alleged to take decisions and exert pressure on decisions taken in relation to SIA "Rīgas tirdzniecības osta", company actually owned by this public official. It was detected during the investigation that from February 2010 member of the Saeima by involving trusted representatives was responsible for planning and organisation of financial schemes with the purpose to ensure legal and actual ownership of the company "ZeinHolding AG" which indirectly owns 36 % of SIA "Rīgas tirdzniecības osta" shares.
It was established during KNAB investigation that member of the Saeima in order to keep the influence after 10th Saeima elections in the Freeport of Riga management Board and to affect decisions taken by the Board concerning companies actually owned by this person ensured that representative of his party is elected chairman of the Freeport of Riga management Board. In exchange for supporting vote member of Ventspils City Council demanded illegal financial benefit in terms of signing agreement with a company providing that Riga Free Port advertisement is placed in press editions of this company.
Another episode of criminal proceedings shows that in 2009, during preparation period for 10th Saeima elections, member of the Saeima asked another public official to commit illegal activities with financial resources of the stock company "Air Baltic Corporation" or "Live Riga" by signing fictitious agreements with several media enterprises as though promoting services of "Air Baltic Corporation" or Riga City. The public official is alleged to have misused the position since signing of these agreements on behalf of the stock company concerning distribution of advertisement has ensured exposure of one member of the parliament and his political party.
No further information is disclosed at the moment.