Former priest Māris Zviedris money-laundering case to continue in November

The Riga Regional Court will resume the case against former Catholic priest Māris Zviedris on November 6. At the next hearing, the parties will discuss possible contradictions in the first-instance judgment, along with the prosecutor’s decision to amend the charges and correct the appeal submission.

An Economic Affairs Court previously acquitted Zviedris in full, but prosecutors challenged that ruling. The charges cover the period from 2015 to 2019, when prosecutors say Zviedris deposited 48,742 euros in cash into his bank accounts.

According to the prosecution, he then transferred the money, together with 68,945 euros in legally obtained funds, to another account to conceal its alleged criminal origin. Prosecutors say he took part in apartment auctions, bought apartments and later transferred 29,560 euros back to himself. They allege that he converted 39,384 euros into property, spent another 4,780 euros in other ways and laundered 53,522 euros in total.

The case also alleges that Zviedris helped a relative buy an apartment and purchased a Volkswagen Multivan for himself with cash. Zviedris denies the accusations. He says a priest’s salary is very small and that he largely lived on donations from people, which varied from substantial amounts to small gifts. He said he had seen such practices among clergy while still a student and regarded them as normal.

The Roman Catholic Church’s Archdiocese of Riga says Zviedris has been suspended from priestly duties. He is therefore being tried as a private individual rather than as a church official.