Last week it became known that the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau is investigating some construction work at Rīga East Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS). As the Latvian Television's De Facto found out, these works are part of a major project financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), De Facto reported November 5.
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Former Bank of Latvia President Ilmārs Rimšēvičs has just stood trial in his third criminal case – this time he is accused of buying a Covid-19 vaccination certificate and using the fake document during three trips. Rimšēvičs does not admit his guilt and says he has been vaccinated, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on October 29.
Fears that several tens of millions of euros of European Union (EU) funds could be lost have just been faced by Stradiņš Hospital, whereas Cohesion Fund money not spent on transport projects has been reallocated to cover last winter's heating bills. Rapid maneuvers and redistribution of money are ongoing due to the fact that EU funds of the previous period must be invested by December 31 this year, Latvian Television's De Facto reports October 15.
The State Security Service (VDD) suspects a Belarusian businessman in Latvia of breaching European Union sanctions. He entered Latvia with the support of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) following Belarus opposition protests in 2020. Latvian Television's De Facto reports on October 8 that Igor Medved's shareholdings have now been arrested by the service so they can be seized in the future if necessary.
Although Latvia currently imports considerably fewer goods from Russia than before the invasion of Ukraine, there are product categories that also bring hundreds of millions of euros of income to the Russian economy. It is cattle feed, especially maize, oil cake from sunflower seeds, and other agricultural products, Latvian Television's De Facto reported October 1.
The Ministry of Health has committed to improving the system of reimbursable medicinal products together with doctors and experts of the World Health Organization, as well as to make the determination of criteria for prescribing medicinal products more transparent, especially if funding is limited, reports the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto on October 1.
Official statements from the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) have indicated officials from Valmiera municipality may have abused the service position in order to unlawfully obtain more than EUR 4 million from the European Regional Development Fund, Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast reported on Sunday, September 24.
The Turkish association of companies which offered to build the Rail Baltica track route for a cheaper price than its competitors in a tender, has been excluded from the procurement on the recommendation of the State Security Service (VDD), Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast of September 17 reported.
To get an appointment with a specialist doctor, one often has to wait several months. At present, the longest lines are for rehabilitation, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and ultrasonography. In many health care facilities, everything is booked until the end of the year, reports the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television, aired on August 27.
This week, Škoda Group representatives came to report on the progress of the new passenger train project in Riga. The delivery schedule is already delayed by more than half a year, and Latvia will lose co-financing of the EU if the trains will not be delivered on time, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on August 20.
The talks of possibly extending the coalition, initiated by the New Unity party and its leader PM Krišjānis Kariņš, started immediately after the presidential elections. Last week Kariņš called for a five-way discussion between the existing coalition and the potential new additions from the opposition, but some snubbed the invitation, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on June 18.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, the Telegram communication app group “Baltic antifascists” was created. An investigation into participation in a criminal organization has been launched against at least five persons associated with the group. Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto, aired June 18, took a closer look at the group.
Few subjects considered in the parliament gain so much attention from lobbying organizations as changes in smoking restrictions. MPs have received a pile of objections from various associations, particularly regarding the plan to ban flavors in electronic cigarettes, the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television reported on June 11.
State JSC Latvenergo has expressed a wish to donate more than half a million euros to the government to be transferred to various projects. This has caused some debate since the government recently decided that such donation practices should be stopped, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on June 11.
Instead of the much-criticized e-health, a new system to manage healthcare records is to be put in place over the following years. However, the initial finance and management model already highlights the risk of repeating the mistakes made with e-health, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on May 28.
Last week, court proceedings started for Andris Strautmanis, former official of the Soviet-time Committee for State Security (KGB) and Latvian Security Police. He was detained two years ago in the espionage case of politician Jānis Ādamsons, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on May 22.
Seven years ago Latvia signed the Istanbul Convention, but has still not ratified it. The case of the woman murdered in Jēkabpils in mid-April has led several non-governmental organizations to talk about it repeatedly, also claiming the responsibility of politicians for the tragedy. However, some parties represented in the Saeima do not intend to change their negative attitude toward it, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on May 7.
The experience of the pandemic has not only contributed to the use of intoxicating and addictive substances, but also hampered the possibility of detecting networks of suppliers of these substances. According to the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television aired May 7, the number of drug-related calls for medical help has increased significantly over the last 4 years, while crime related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has halved.
Politicians agreed months ago that the Central Election Commission (CVK) could no longer secure elections, so it needs reform. The problems swelled last November when the CVK's work was actually paralyzed by a criminal case regarding the procurement of the IT system development. There is currently no solution to the IT issues, so next European Parliament elections could be quite cumbersome for voters, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on April 30.
The total costs of Rail Baltica's Latvian section have risen a lot. Instead of the two billion euros initially discussed, it could actually cost six or seven billion. The existing inflow of money could not even be enough for the construction works already ongoing, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on April 23.
The tragic case in Jēkabpils, where a woman was murdered after the suspect Leons Rusiņš had stalked her and her co-workers for over a year, has prompted discussion on whether the responsible services were doing enough. Latvian Television's De Facto, aired April 23, found that the victim herself had given up on the police according to social media entries.
The 220-million worth procurement for food supply for the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), which is under suspicion of unfair practices, has not undergone the safety checks needed, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on March 27.