Corruption, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Railways, Transport

Judge Juris Stukans told members of the press after the court hearing that Magonis will remain in custody and that his appeal has been rejected. Magonis' defense team had requested him be released on EUR 200,000 bail.

Stukans said the court ruled to keep Magonis in custody as it believes Magonis' security measure is justified. At the same time, the judge also added that from now on the prosecutor in charge of the case will determine the security measure for Magonis.

Magonis himself was not seen by the press both before and after the court hearing. Furthermore, Magonis' defense team did not meet with the press after the hearing.

As reported, the Riga Regional Court on August 8 ordered Magonis be taken into custody as a security measure. He is currently in custody at Riga Central Prison.

The Corruption Prevention Bureau suspects Magonis of accepting a major bribe of EUR 500,000 so that LDz ritosa sastava serviss would purchase four old locomotives for several million euros from the Estonian millionaire Oleg Ossinovski's company Skinest. Ossinovski denies any corrupt practices in the sale of the locomotives.

Magonis was dismissed from the job on August 7.