Latvia detains five police officers over alleged bribes

Latvia’s Internal Security Bureau detained five State Police officers in late August on suspicion of accepting bribes from foreign truck drivers, LSM reported.

The officers allegedly took payments to avoid documenting administrative violations in accordance with the law. All five worked in traffic safety supervision at the State Police’s Response Department within its Main Public Order Police Administration.

During procedural actions, investigators found and seized several thousand euros in various currencies.

All five officers have been designated suspects. Three were placed under non-custodial security measures, including bans on certain activities, while a court ordered the detention of two others.

The pre-trial investigation is also examining the officers’ possible involvement in document forgery related to the supervision of road transport.

The case was uncovered in cooperation with the State Police. The Internal Security Bureau said it could not provide further information in the interests of the investigation.

The bureau stressed that no person may be considered guilty of a criminal offence until guilt has been proven under the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Law.