/nginx/o/2019/12/12/12806482t1hc857.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "MEPRD: Termination of criminal proceedings in Ushakov case has no effect on the position of the Ministry in the proceedings on the suspension of the Mayor of Riga – Society and Politics – News")
The Ministry points out that in the spring of this year the Administrative District Court has established that the suspension of Ushakov from the duties of the mayor was necessary, proportionate and in accordance with the established violations.
–
The court of three judges found that Ušakovs, by violating his powers, had wasted at least 70 million Rigans’ money by violating his powers, deliberately misled deputies about the use of city council budget funds, did not exercise sufficient supervision over Rīgas satiksme, allowing a devastating corruption scandal and openly ignoring the interests of Rigans, emphasizes MEPRD.
–
The Ministry points out that the court has acknowledged that the conclusion of the MEPRD order that the way in which investments were made in “Rīgas satiksme” was illegal is correct. The court took into account that as a result in 2017 there was a reduction of municipal property in the amount of 18,432,000 euros that did not comply with regulatory enactments. Consequently, the court considered this violation to be so serious that in itself it is already a sufficient ground for suspending the applicant from office.
–
MEPRD points out that the KNAB had initiated criminal proceedings under Section 319, Paragraph three of the Criminal Law, which provides for criminal liability for failure to perform the duties of a public official if it has caused serious consequences.
–
It is possible that the KNAB has not seen serious consequences for the crime, for which criminal liability is envisaged, but in accordance with the Civil Law and the principles of good administration, violations are still visible in Ušakovs’ actions and Riga City Council will be able to sue Ushakov. compensation for the damage caused shall be considered by the MEPRD.
–
The Ministry also points out that the Riga City Council had the right to appeal the decision to the supervising prosecutor within 10 days from the adoption of the KNAB decision. The MEPRD, on the other hand, had no procedural status in the case and the Ministry did not have the right to appeal the decision to terminate the proceedings.
–
As reported, in October the KNAB terminated the criminal proceedings for possible inaction of a public official in connection with the transfer of funds to the municipal company “Rīgas satiksme”, the KNAB confirmed to the agency LETA.
–
During the investigation of the criminal case, the KNAB got acquainted with both the documents at the disposal of the institution and the additionally obtained documents, as well as engaged an independent accounting expert to provide an opinion.
–
During the investigation, the KNAB found that the purpose of the payment indicated by the municipality – investments in equity – was incorrect. However, due to this inaccuracy, the transfer did not affect the budget of the Riga City Council, as the financial resources were transferred to cover the losses of “Rīgas satiksme” due to the determination of fare reductions, the office indicated.
–
Thus, the KNAB did not establish the composition of the criminal offense specified in the Criminal Law as a possible omission of a public official, if it caused serious consequences, and made a decision to terminate the criminal case.
–
At the same time, the KNAB confirmed that Ushakov was not involved in the criminal proceedings.
— .
