Estonia, Latvia, Legislation, Railways, Transport

He said that the pre-trial investigation in the case has almost been completed. "In late January or early February the case might be handed to the prosecutor's office for start of criminal prosecution," Kalnmeiers said.

Kalnmeiers confirmed earlier reports that Ossinovski has been declared suspect in the case.

Magonis is suspected of accepting a bribe worth nearly 500,000 euros in connection with a tender for four diesel locomotives organized by the railway company's subsidiary, LDZ Ritosa Sastava Serviss, which was won by Estonian businessman Oleg Ossinovski's company Skinest. On August 6, Magonis was detained close to the Latvian-Estonian border with the money in his car. Later he was released from jail on 400,000 of euros bail. Magonis has been barred from leaving the country or prohibited to approach or contact certain persons.

On August 7, LDz shareholders sacked Magonis as the railway company's head.

Latvijas Dzelzcels is a state-owned company, involved in freight transportation by rail and the maintenance of infrastructure.