Corruption, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Port, Transport

The Corruption Prevention Bureau declined to comment.

Lembergs, in turn, acknowledged to the television that he was given the status of a suspect in the case by the Corruption Prevention Bureau last week. Lembergs denies any wrongdoing.

According to Lembergs, the Corruption Prevention Bureau believes that he influenced then Freeport of Riga board member Viesturs Silenieks (Greens/Farmers) so he would vote for the election of Riga Vice mayor Andris Ameriks (Honor to Serve Riga) to the port's board, in order to later ensure that the port sign advertising agreement with Mediju nams, the publisher of the "Neatkariga Rita Avize" newspaper. According to Lembergs, such allegations are absurd as Ameriks, being the vice-mayor of Riga, would have been elected to the port's board all the same.

Under the criminal law, a person convicted of trading in influence may be sentenced to up to five years in jail.

Politician Ainars Slesers also has the status of a suspect in the case, whereas Ameriks does not.

The so-called "oligarch case" was launched in May 2011 in accordance with the Criminal Law on bribery, corruption, money laundering, abuse of power, and other crimes.

Initially, there were eleven persons involved in the case. The Corruption Prevention Bureau carried out various searches, including at residences and offices of Ventspils Lembergs Aivars Lembergs and former People's Party leader Andris Skele, and also at Mediju nams offices.