Today, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Working Group on Combating Bribery in International Business Transactions (OECD WGB) published the Phase 4 report on Latvia. It commends the contribution and progress of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) and other Latvian institutions in implementing the OECD WGB recommendations, including Latvia's ability to effectively detect, investigate and advance complex cross-border corruption cases.
The OECD WGB repeatedly emphasized the key role of KNAB in investigating bribery of foreign public officials, as well as highlighted the successful prosecution of cases of bribery of foreign public officials. To date, KNAB has completed investigations in two criminal proceedings in cooperation with the Prosecutor's office, in which court rulings have already entered into force and coercive measures have been applied to companies. Two more criminal proceedings on alleged bribery of foreign public officials committed in the interests of companies registered in Latvia are pending before court.
Simultaneously, the OECD WGB has positively assessed the measures taken by Latvia to implement recommendations made in the previous assessment and to strengthen the system for combating bribery of foreign public officials. The report also highlighted the legal amendments, which increased the sanctions applicable to legal persons and made other significant changes. The OECD WGB also emphasized that in recent years Latvia has significantly strengthened the anti-money laundering system, thereby improving the capabilities of KNAB and other competent institutions to more effectively detect, investigate and confiscate financial assets related to cross-border corruption.
Significant progress has been made since 30 May 2014, when Latvia acceded to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. KNAB emphasizes that work must continue by implementing the OECD WGB recommendations and improving the anti-corruption system in line with the changing corruption risks. The OECD WGB particularly encourages Latvia to develop a strategy for detecting bribery of foreign public officials, as well as to develop an approach that would encourage companies to be more actively involved in detecting possible bribery cases and reporting them to law enforcement authorities. Latvia is also recommended to strengthen the whistleblower protection system.
The full summary of the recommendations and conclusions of the OECD WGB Phase 4 Report on Latvia can be found on the OECD website: https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/fighting-foreign-bribery/latvia-country-monitoring.html.