Prosecutor General: Charges in timber industry case won't take years

Prosecutor General Armīns Meisters has assured that the ongoing investigation into the timber industry, often referred to as the "timbermen's case," is progressing swiftly and that formal charges are expected without lengthy delays. In an interview with LETA, Meisters stated that the case is moving forward, with increasing evidence and defined investigative directions, emphasizing, "This will definitely not be a matter of years to reach a result."

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This will definitely not be a matter of years to reach a result.

Meisters also addressed concerns about potential information leaks, which had been raised earlier. He confirmed that an internal review was conducted and concluded that allegations of information being leaked about investigative actions were unsubstantiated. "The prosecution's assessment did not confirm that information had been leaked in the case regarding investigative actions," he stated.

Regarding the controversial detention of Raivis Kronbergs, former director of the State Chancellery, Meisters clarified the legal grounds. He explained that Kronbergs was detained not for active resistance, but due to the legal concept of "counteraction." Meisters defined this as the potential to influence evidence gathering or other investigative processes. "According to the law, counteraction, and even the existence of such a risk, is grounds for detaining a person," he said, adding that Kronbergs was detained only for the duration of the procedural actions and released immediately after they concluded.

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The prosecution's assessment did not confirm that information had been leaked in the case regarding investigative actions.

The case involves ten individuals, including former Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze, former and current officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, and figures from the timber industry, including former and current leaders of AS "Latvijas valsts meži" (Latvian State Forests). The investigation, initiated in March, is examining two main avenues: one focusing on ministry officials possibly abusing their positions to illegally secure support for the timber sector, and another related to the illegal acquisition of state forest resources.

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According to the law, counteraction, and even the existence of such a risk, is grounds for detaining a person.