Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Technology, Telecomunications

The court began reviewing the case in August 2008. In total, nineteen persons were charged in the case: Janis Loze, Harijs Krongorns, Ekis, Andrejs Zabeckis, Gints Bandens, Liepnieks, Guntars Spunde, Maris Pauders, Martins Kveps, Janis Svarpstons, Valdis Purvinskis, Janis Zips, Juris Ulmanis, Ojars Rubenis, Didzis Jonovs, Andrians Lublins, Alfreds Janevics, Janis Plume, Uldis Kokins, and Inara Rudaka who died in 2013.

Today the court convicted former "Latvijas Neatkariga televizija" television's founder and CEO Andrejs Ekis, who was ordered to pay a fine of 120 minimum monthly wages or EUR 43,200.

Former Digital Latvian Radio and Television Center's (DLRTC) director general Guntars Spundelis was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of EUR 28,800.

Attorney Janis Loze was sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of EUR 36,000.

Tax consultant Uldis Kokis was sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of EUR 18,000.

Harijs Krongorns, financial consultant at Uznemumu vadiba un konsultacijas, a company that belongs to ex-Prime Minister and People's Party founder Andris Skele, was sentenced to three years in prison.

Advertising expert Jurgis Liepnieks, former head of Skele's bureau, will have to pay a EUR 72,200 fine.

Former Kempmayer Media Latvia board member Andrejs Zabeckis was sentenced to three years in prison.

Former Kempmayer Media Latviaboard member J?nis Zips was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of EUR 25,200.

Former Kempmayer Media Latvia board member Janis Svarpstons was sentenced to two years in jail and a fine of EUR 25,200.

Business consultant Valdis Purvinskis was ordered to pay a fine of EUR 18,000.

Former state representatives for the Latvian State Radio and Television Center (Latvijas Valsts radio un televizijas centrs, LVRTC) Andrians Boldans, Ojars Rubenis and Didzis Jonovs were each ordered to pay a EUR 18,000 fine.

Former LVRTC board chairman Maris Pauders was released from criminal liability as he could not stand trial due to diminished mental capacity.

The court decided to acquit Gints Bandens, who formerly worked for companies associated with politician Vilis Kristopans, two former DLRTC board members Janis Plume and Alfreds Janevics, former Kempmayer Media Latvia board member Juris Ulmanis, and attorney Martins Kveps.

As reported, the case is concerned with an agreement between the Digital Latvian Radio and Television Center and "Kempmeyer Media Limited" subsidiary "Kempmeyer Media Latvia", which foresaw the gradual introduction of digital television in Latvia and the installation of special equipment for digital broadcasting. Total spending on the project has been estimated at many tens of millions of lats.

An investigation was launched regarding the digital television project and a criminal process was opened according to the Criminal Law's Section 317 - exceeding official authority, the Section 319 - failure to act by a state official, the Section 177 - fraud, and the Section 195 - legalizing illegally-acquired funds.

All defendants pleaded not guilty.