"After Mārtiņš' death, Gobzems made slanderous statements about him on several occasions, which we believe was very dishonorable as he knew that Martins could not defend himself and his reputation anymore. Obviously Gobzems did not have the courage to say those things while Martins was alive. Gobzems' conduct may lead people to believe that aggression is not punishable, and we hope that our claim will put an end to it, at least in this case," said Kristaps Bunkus.
As reported, Bunkus was shot dead in the morning of May 30 as he was driving his white Range Rover along a tree-lined street near Brethren Cemetery in Riga.
It is believed he was shot from a tarp-covered pickup truck that was seen in the vicinity and was later found burning not far from the scene of the crime. His professional activity appears to be the mostly likely motive for the killing, and an investigation continues with police saying they have amassed considerable evidence, though no-one has yet been named as a suspect.
Gobzems, who recently had his lawyer's licence revoked, partly over comments he made about Bunkus in the aftermath of the murder, has in recent days repeated his belief that the murdered man was a "bandit" and also made comments about the Bunkus family, who have offered a reward for information leading to a conviction in the case.
