Anti-corruption bureau reviews ZZS alcohol gifts to seniors

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, known as KNAB, is reviewing an incident in which the Union of Greens and Farmers gave seniors bottles of Riga Black Balsam, LSM reported.

The gifts were handed out at a senior gathering organised by the party in Ogre on August 23. They included small souvenirs, among them miniature bottles bearing the party’s list number for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Speaking on Latvian Radio’s Krustpunktā programme this week, Union of Greens and Farmers lawmaker Augusts Brigmanis said he had proposed the Black Balsam as “medicine”. He said it was given to people who had reached the age of 85.

Looking back, Brigmanis said, the party could have offered pensioners jam or tea instead.

KNAB told the LETA news agency that political organisations are prohibited from using state budget funding allocated to them to buy alcoholic drinks, tobacco products, exclusive or excessively expensive goods and services.

The funding also cannot be used for private needs, gifts or donations, except for souvenirs bearing the political organisation’s symbols, or for purposes unrelated to political activity.

During the pre-election campaign period, political organisations may distribute goods bearing their symbols to potential voters, including clothing, pens, balloons and food. All expenses for acquiring and producing such items must be included in the election income and expenditure declaration and the financial activity report submitted to KNAB.

If a political organisation distributes alcoholic drinks during an event, it must also submit a notice to KNAB on the financing of charitable events, sponsorship, benefits and gifts.

KNAB said it is currently assessing the case.