Latvia, Legislation, Real Estate

LETA has information that one of the detainees is RNP interim board member Ardis Pavilsons. RNP spokesman Krists Leiskalns told LETA that Pavilsons had been on a sick leave since yesterday and RNP did not know his whereabouts.

LETA also has information that one of the detainees is a former RNP official, possibly former chairman of the RNP board Aivars Gontarevs.

The State Police's spokeswoman Simona Gravite confirmed to LETA that two people had been detained on Thursday and a third earlier today.

According to the law, the police may detain a person for up to 48 hours. After that the person must be either released or assigned a security measure, including custody. The security measure is decided by a court.

As reported, the Economic Crime Unit yesterday released five RNP employees that were detained in the case earlier this week. Last week the police detained another two persons, including Liftu Alianse owner Igors Babkins, who is remanded in custody, while the other person has been released on his own recognizance.

The State Police on Thursday night raided the RNP head office at 42 Caka Street, Riga.

Babkins is suspected of large-scale fraud and money laundering.