Construction, Latvia, Legislation, Logistics, Markets and Companies, Real Estate

Following the State Police's request, courts have encumbered Maxima Latvija property rights to the logistical center in Kekava, as Maxima Latvija representative Janis Beseris confirmed to LETA. The court decision also concerns seven buildings that belong to Maxima Latvija and house the company's stores, and several land parcels in various regions of Latvia.

"We are astonished at the disproportionate decision, as we have never undertaken any activities with the aim to reduce the value of our properties, on the contrary, we have been investing in the development of our property. Likewise, we in our business have never done anything that might suggest that we could try to avoid responsibility," said Beseris.

As reported, the State Police have given the status of a suspect to four more persons in the Zolitude supermarket disaster case, which means that there are now a total of nine suspects in the case. The last three suspects in the case are employees at the Riga Construction Board – they have been accused of gross negligence, and an employee of a company involved in the Maxima supermarket construction project who has been accused of violating job safety regulations.

Maxima Latvija has determined that its real estate properties have been encumbered. "We still have not received the police's decision, but we have checked information in the Land Register to discover that, according to the State Police's decision, our company's real estate properties have been encumbered. At the same time, we wish to emphasize that this decision in itself does not have, and will not have, any effect on the company's operations," said Beseris.

He went on to say that the company was cooperating with the State Police and would continue to do so. "We can confirm once again that the operations of our stores will continue as usual – the decision by the State Police will not have any effect on our operations."

As reported, 54 people died and scores were injured when the roof of the Maxima supermarket in Riga's Zolitude neighborhood caved in on November 21, 2013.