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Ivo Leitāns

Latvian Television

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Recovery of wasted funds to be considered in 'Air Kariņš' case
Recovery of wasted funds to be considered in 'Air Kariņš' case
Last week, a lengthy audit of former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš' use of special flights during his time as PM was published. The auditor concluded that hundreds of thousands of euros were both unlawfully and uneconomically used. The possibility to get the money back will be assessed in criminal proceedings, Latvian Television's De Facto reported April 14.
Corruption cops pay visit to Rēzekne City Council
Corruption cops pay visit to Rēzekne City Council
Representatives of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) visited the city council of Rēzekne on Tuesday, February 6, and “implemented criminal procedural activities, including searches and interrogations,” KNAB confirmed to Latvian Television February 7.
De Facto questions former PM Kariņš' private jet usage
De Facto questions former PM Kariņš' private jet usage
Former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) used private jets for 18 foreign trips in the past three years. Opposition deputies recently questioned the justification of this, and Latvian Television's De Facto also attempted to have a look at the matter on November 26.
Rīga hospital construction watched by corruption cops: LTV's De Facto
Rīga hospital construction watched by corruption cops: LTV's De Facto
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.
LTV's De Facto looks at former central bank head's alleged fake vaccination case
LTV's De Facto looks at former central bank head's alleged fake vaccination case
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.
LTV board has problems, reports LTV
LTV board has problems, reports LTV
In recent months, two members of the board of Latvian Television (LTV) have submitted their resignations. At the end of September, Kaspars Odiņš, who is responsible for content issues quit, and Elīza Bērziņa, who is responsible for financial management, did so in mid-October. 
EU fund fraud case launched in Līvāni, Latvia: LTV's De Facto
EU fund fraud case launched in Līvāni, Latvia: LTV's De Facto
Several investigations into suspected European Union (EU) money fraud have involved production buildings in industrial parks, where it has been suspected that projects were aimed at specific entrepreneurs. Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast, aired October 8, reports on a new criminal case in Līvāni, where, on the contrary, it could turn out that no business needed repairs to the streets in question.
Anti-graft squad swoops on Valmiera municipality
Anti-graft squad swoops on Valmiera municipality
Latvia's dedicated anti-corruption force, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) was in action in the northern city of Valmiera September 12 in connection with suspected misappropriation of European Union funds by officials of the local municipality.   
State defense concept adopted in Latvia
State defense concept adopted in Latvia
Defense is likely to receive funding equivalent to 3% of gross domestic product next year, Defense Minister Ināra Murniece (National Alliance) said in a press briefing on Tuesday, September 5. It is also planned to further increase the strength of the National Armed Forces (NBS) and to expand the presence of NATO troops in Latvia.
Five-way coalition extension talks unsuccessful: LTV's De Facto
Five-way coalition extension talks unsuccessful: LTV's De Facto
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.
De Facto: Intrigue aplenty as Presidential vote looms
De Facto: Intrigue aplenty as Presidential vote looms
The theoretical talk about the impact of the upcoming presidential election on the composition of the coalition became much more concrete this week, with parties eyeing each other up and wondering what their true intentions are, reported LTV's 'De Facto' May 21. 
LTV's De Facto: no clear favorite in presidential run yet
LTV's De Facto: no clear favorite in presidential run yet
The forthcoming presidential vote on May 31, for which three candidates have been announced, currently do not see a clear favorite and could push for potential changes in the governing coalition, according to an analysis by the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto on May 14.
Politicians' stance toward Istanbul Convention probed by LTV's De Facto
Politicians' stance toward Istanbul Convention probed by LTV's De Facto
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.
LTV's De Facto: MEPs Ušakovs and Ameriks face graft accusations
LTV's De Facto: MEPs Ušakovs and Ameriks face graft accusations
Member of the European Parliament and former long-standing Rīga mayor Nils Ušakovs (Harmony) announced in mid-March that he has the status of a suspect in a new case. Latvian Television's De Facto has found that Ušakovs and his colleague in Brussels, Andris Ameriks (Honor to Serve Rīga, and former deputy mayor of Rīga under Ušakovs) are both accused of requesting bribes, the broadcast reported on March 19.
LTV's De Facto: Rimšēvičs suspected of faking Covid certificate
LTV's De Facto: Rimšēvičs suspected of faking Covid certificate
The former governor  of the Latvian Central Bank, Ilmārs Rimšēvičs, who is already on trial in two criminal cases, has allegedly faced a third indictment related to the illegal acquisition and use of a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, Latvian Television's investigative broadcast De Facto reported on February 5.
LTV's De Facto asks what ministers think of new government declaration
LTV's De Facto asks what ministers think of new government declaration
Last Wednesday, the second government of Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) was finally approved after two and a half months of negotiations. The main document listing the work to be done is the government declaration, with 328 points and numerous deviations. The 'De Facto' broadcast of Latvian Television asked the new ministers about the contents and thoughts on the document December 18.
United List names its minister candidates
United List names its minister candidates
The political association United List (AS) has chosen their ministerial candidates as the last of the three coalition parties, AS said on Tuesday, December 6.
Start drafting government declaration, says President Levits
Start drafting government declaration, says President Levits
The partners of the promised new government coalition – Jaunā Vienotība (New Unity, JV), Apvienotais Saraksts (United List, AS), and the Nacionālā apvienība (National Alliance, NA) – can start work on their government's declaration, according to President Egils Levits after meeting with Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (JV) November 14.
New ministry to be formed in Latvia
New ministry to be formed in Latvia
Continuing the formation of the government coalition, the party association New Unity, United List, and the National Alliance plan to sign a memorandum of cooperation this week. Politicians have managed to agree on the creation of a new ministry, the scope of which will still be debated, Latvian Television reported November 2.
LTV's De Facto: Sanctioned Russian oligarch still holds Latvian citizenship
LTV's De Facto: Sanctioned Russian oligarch still holds Latvian citizenship
Though since April, amendments to the Citizenship Law have allowed for the waiving of Latvian citizenship to persons who have provided different kinds of support to aggressor states, Russian billionaire Pyotr Aven who has been included in the European Union sanctions lists since February, remains a Latvian citizen, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on September 25.
LTV's De Facto lists accused and convicted election candidates
LTV's De Facto lists accused and convicted election candidates
The 13th Saeima had quite a few MPs accused, and also convicted, of crimes. Some of the accused members are also on the candidate lists for the 14th Saeima. Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto looked at the cases on September 19.
Corruption watchdog swoops on former Agriculture Minister
Corruption watchdog swoops on former Agriculture Minister
A criminal case has been launched against former Agriculture Minister Roberts Dilba, who has been leading the State Joint Stock Company “Ministry of Agriculture Real Estate” (ZMNĪ) since 2004, regarding suspected abuse of position for a material purpose, Latvian Television reported on August 30.
Smaller political parties find various ways to meet Latvian election rules
Smaller political parties find various ways to meet Latvian election rules
Political parties in Latvia are in campaign mode in the lead-up to October's parliamentary elections, but LTV's De Facto investigative show suggested on August 21 that some of the newer and smaller contenders have found imaginative ways of meeting the necessary criteria to field candidates.
LTV's De Facto compares May 9 in Rīga and Daugavpils
LTV's De Facto compares May 9 in Rīga and Daugavpils
Though the celebration of the so-called 'Victory Day' of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany were officially banned this year, various events in Rīga made it rather look like a week-long celebration. In Daugavpils, where the Russian-speaking population is in the majority, the day passed more peacefully, Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast aired May 15 reported.
PM Kariņš: reasons why Latvia is in lockdown will be found in time
PM Kariņš: reasons why Latvia is in lockdown will be found in time
Criticism on the too early or late introduction of lockdown, too harsh or too lenient restrictions, low numbers of risk group vaccination is often addressed at Latvian politicians. Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš told Latvian Television broadcast De facto October 24 that it was not yet time to analyze the errors that led Latvia back into lockdown.
LTV: Anti-graft force wants former central bank boss charged with witness tampering
LTV: Anti-graft force wants former central bank boss charged with witness tampering
On September 20, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) urged the Prosecutor's Office to press criminal charges against former Governor of the Bank of Latvia Ilmārs Rimšēvičs and businessman Uģis Tabors for allegedly pressing a witness to give false testimony, Latvian Television reports.
Meroni removed from storage of Lembergs' arrested property
Meroni removed from storage of Lembergs' arrested property
Riga Regional Court, in the so-called criminal case of Aivars Lembergs, has removed the lawyer Rudolf Meroni from the storage of the property arrested in criminal proceedings, according to Latvian Television information published August 17.