Corruption, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

Recently the prosecutor’s office brought against him corruption charges in a different criminal case that was opened in 2015.

The Corruption Prevention Bureau told LETA that it had started a new bribery case in May and will be investigating activities of an official of Riga Central Market but would not give the suspect’s name.

Abramovs was detained last Friday. His lawyer Gecis said earlier that his client had been released on Saturday evening but with certain restrictions which he would not reveal to the press. The lawyer refused to give any details of the new case or specify whether any charges had been brought against Abramovs and for what crimes.

Abramovs, who so far had been suspended as the board chairman of Riga Central Market, was removed from the company’s board on June 15.

The prosecutor's office in late May this year decided to bring corruption charges against Abramovs and a business representative in a different case.

The Corruption Prevention Bureau reported earlier that the case was launched in 2015, and the investigation discovered that Abramovs had accepted a bribe from the business representative – the right to use a fuel filling card with the name of the company. The bribe had been given to create privileges for the bribe giver, ensuring a victory in a public procurement.

Riga Central Market, established in 1930, has been operating as a municipal joint-stock company since 1995. The company comprises the central market, as well as marketplaces in Riga's Agenskalns and Vidzeme districts. The company's sole owner is the Riga City Council.