Latvian police officer held in custody over fatal fight

A police officer in Priekule, Latvia, has been taken into custody following an incident during city festival celebrations where he allegedly inflicted fatal injuries on another man. The officer, identified as junior inspector Andis Silnieks, was reportedly heavily intoxicated and off-duty at the time of the altercation.

The victim, Normunds Vamzis, a respected educator and head of the Apparel Design program at Liepāja Music, Art, and Design Secondary School, received medical attention but died in the ambulance. The Internal Security Bureau has initiated criminal proceedings against Silnieks under Article 125, Part 3 of the Criminal Law, concerning intentional infliction of serious bodily harm that resulted in the victim's death due to the perpetrator's negligence.

Kurzeme District Court previously ordered Silnieks's pre-trial detention. State Police Chief Armands Ruks stated in an interview with Latvian Television that the detained officer claimed to have no recollection of the events. Silnieks has been serving in the police since September 2022 and had no prior disciplinary record.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the fatal fight. The incident has cast a shadow over the community, highlighting the tragic consequences that can arise from off-duty conduct, especially when alcohol is involved.

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The detained, who was heavily intoxicated, told investigators that he does not remember what happened.