This decision was taken in response to the Prosecutor General's request concerning the unlawful privatization of undeveloped land in the area necessary for the future development of civil aviation of national importance.
At the beginning of February, Riga City Council received a submission from the General Prosecutor's Office regarding the illegal privatization of undeveloped land in the territory necessary for the further development of the national airport.
Back in 2012, 22 plots of land belonging to the capital were handed over for privatization. In 2022, they were sold at auction for 5.7 million euros to the company SIA "Cella investment 3" belonging to the real estate developer "Sirin Development".
According to the Prosecutor's office, during the privatization process, the municipality did not properly assess the land plots at the time they were sold. All 22 land plots are located in the territory necessary for the further development of Riga Airport.
The Prosecutor General's submission obliges the municipality to restore its possession and property rights to 22 plots of land and suspend the development of the local plan for this area.
The Prosecutor has asked Riga City Council to restore the ownership rights to the original 22 owners, but the municipality has twice failed to even take a vote on the matter.
After the restoration of land ownership, it is clear that Riga will have to return the 5.7 million paid by the investor. But it is not yet known if the amount will be higher.
The total area of the plots is 389,394 square meters. They have located approximately 400 meters from the airport fenced area and the city border with Mārupe municipality, in the block between Mazās Gramzdas, Kalnciema, Mīkleņu, Kārklu and Mūkupurva streets. The boundary of the plots is also located approximately 500 meters from Kārļa Ulmaņa Avenue, on its right-hand side, towards the city center, and approximately 600 meters from the road leading to the airport.
