KNAB seeks prosecution over alleged €1,000 bribe in Valmiera

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, known as KNAB, has proposed criminal prosecution for the head of an accounting services company and another person over an alleged bribe offered to a Valmiera municipality official, LSM reported.

The company’s chairwoman allegedly gave the official €1,000 in cash and a bottle of alcohol worth several dozen euros, acting on the instructions of the other person. The company wanted to obtain the right to lease a building owned by the municipality.

The official informed law enforcement authorities about the alleged bribery.

KNAB has asked the prosecutor’s office responsible for investigating criminal offences committed in public service to prosecute the company chairwoman for bribing a public official. The other individual has been charged with aiding the alleged offence.

KNAB has also asked prosecutors to continue proceedings initiated during the pre-trial investigation concerning the application of coercive measures to the legal entity in whose interests the alleged bribery was committed.

Ineta Cīrule, acting head of KNAB, said every bribery incident that comes to the bureau’s attention was equally important and should be investigated, with those found guilty held legally accountable.

“Neither business interests nor the desire to obtain a favourable result can justify an attempt to replace the procedure established by law with a bribe. Only a result obtained through lawful means is legitimate,” Cīrule said.