Police officer’s lawyer appeals detention over Priekule killing

The lawyer for a State Police officer detained over the fatal beating of a man in Priekule has appealed the court’s decision to remand him in custody, LSM reported, citing the LETA news agency.

The Kurzeme Regional Court plans to review the request to change the security measure on August 10 at 10 a.m.

At the end of July, an off-duty junior police inspector allegedly beat a man to death in Priekule while intoxicated. The suspect was detained and remanded in custody on July 27.

The victim was Normunds Vamzis, a teacher and head of the Clothing Design programme at the Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School.

The State Police has opened criminal proceedings over the intentional infliction of serious bodily harm that caused the victim’s death through negligence. The Internal Security Bureau confirmed that a police officer had been detained on suspicion of committing the offence.

State Police Chief Armands Ruks said the detainee had told investigators that he did not remember what happened. After the tragedy, Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava of the National Alliance said the State Police planned to introduce alcohol testing as a preventive measure.