Energy, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

Rudolf Meroni.

"Yes, that is how it is. Businessmen are coming from Austria, and an investment fund is involved. This is linked to Martin Schlaff, who is known to be one of the richest Austrian citizens. Schlaff, or the investment fund linked to him, wants to buy all Ventspils transit companies connected to the oil business. This includes Ventbunkers, Latrostrans, Ventspils Nafta and the Latvian Shipping Company," said Meroni.

Schlaff's name is already known in Latvia, as the billionaire attempted to buy Ventspils nafta four years ago. Representatives of the businessman attempted to influence Latvian politicians and ensure a direct sale, rather than a public auction.

The Austrians' attempts to stop the auction were unsuccessful, and Ventspils nafta was sold to the Vitol group. Considerable disruption was caused during the process, including threats received on the day of the auction by the Security Police that explosives could be set off in the auction room or that the computer systems could be shut down. A meeting between the Austrians and then-Economy Minister Aigars Stokenbergs was arranged by Andris Skele and Olegs Stepanovs.

Schlaff has associations with secret service agents from the former East German Stasi and Israel's Mossad. Schlaff assisted Stasi agents in concealing money in European banks, and received business help in return. Various investigations have been opened against the businessman – for trading in official secrets, money laundering, the bribery of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the Israeli foreign minister – but all investigations have been closed. Schlaff is also acquainted with the leaders of Russia's Solncevskaya and Izmailovskaya criminal groupings.

Another Austrian businessman is also involved in arranging the deal – Grigory Luchansky, who is the head of the mysterious Vienna company Nordex and a key figure in the Ventspils transit business. The Western press suspects him of connections with the KGB, as well as with arms and drug trading.

Several signals indicate that a deal is close to completion – the council of Ventspils nafta was changed in the summer, with the inclusion of Schlaff's son. In addition, the shareholders of Ventspils nafta are said to have signed a secret protocol of intention with Schlaff's fund regarding a share transfer.