The decision of the Riga Regional Court to revoke the Swiss lawyer Rūdolfs Meroni from possession of the property seized in the criminal proceedings of the suspended Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs (“Latvia and Ventspils”) is due to the fact that the
Judge of the Criminal Court Chamber of the Riga Regional Court Irīna Jansone pointed out through the press service that in order to achieve a fair settlement of criminal procedural relations, in the opinion of the court panel there are grounds to cancel Meroni from possession of the seized property. Property which has been seized, but which cannot be left for safekeeping by the said person, has been transferred for safekeeping by the decision of the person conducting the proceedings to the State Security Agency, which is an institution designated by the Cabinet for such purpose.
The adoption of such a decision during the court debate became possible after the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Law came into force on July 1, which stipulates that the court may make a decision on the custodian of seized property or material evidence even after the court investigation is completed.
She emphasized that Meroni should be considered a person against whom criminal proceedings have been instituted for allegedly illegal activities with the property and assets seized in these criminal proceedings, including the rights of the beneficial owner seized in JSC “Ventbunkers”, JSC “Ventspils prekybos osta” and JSC ” Potassium Park “.
The additional judge pointed out that the Riga Regional Court had no specific information about changes in the value of the seized property. It follows from the materials of the Lembergs case that the only letter received from Meroni in the Riga Regional Court Criminal Court panel about the protection of seized assets and their condition was returned, because in the opinion of the panel the facts about the situation of seized property are general, detailed and incomplete.
The court noted that no other information had been received from Meroni in the panel of the Criminal Court.
Meroni was reportedly appointed custodian of Lembergs’ property during the proceedings, but has received criticism from opponents that he used this status to gain influence in Ventspils transit companies.
Lembergs had repeatedly complained about Meroni’s actions with his seized assets. At least one criminal case has also been filed with the State Police in connection with Meroni’s actions.
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