Prosecutor General Urges Politician Krauze to Apologize and Exit Politics

Latvia's top prosecutor, Armins Meisters, has issued a strong rebuke to politician Armands Krauze, urging him to step down from the political stage and apologize to the public. The sharp criticism stems from Krauze's alleged attempts to defend his interests in the wake of a State Audit Office report concerning "Latvijas Valsts meži" (Latvian State Forests). Meisters characterized Krauze's actions as a "shameless" and misleading defense that ignores facts.

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Instead of warmly settling into the seat of a Saeima deputy, Armands Krauze should simply apologize to the public and leave the political stage.

Speaking at a press conference, Meisters expressed his dismay at the politicization of the State Audit Office's findings, stating that the Prosecutor's Office is not a political entity and cannot engage in political games on unequal footing. He emphasized that prosecutors deal with facts derived from their work, while politicians can say what they wish. Meisters apologized to the public for his own involvement in what he deemed an unfair public discussion, vowing to improve communication from the Prosecutor's Office regarding its ongoing work.

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It is very regrettable that the State Audit Office's press briefing is being turned into an element of Armands Krauze's show.

The Prosecutor General asserted that the State Audit Office's findings have clarified the situation, revealing what he termed the former agriculture minister's "dishonest actions." Meisters believes that instead of seeking a parliamentary seat, Krauze should take responsibility for his conduct. He further warned that such public disputes among high-ranking officials serve only to benefit aggressor states, urging an end to the unproductive communication. The Prosecutor's Office plans to release a detailed press release to ensure complete clarity on the matter, with Meisters affirming his commitment to the independence of the prosecution service.

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I, as the Prosecutor General, consider it absolutely unacceptable to be involved in such a public discussion. The Prosecutor's Office does not make policy and does not participate in politics, so this is also a new challenge for us, understanding the rules of this political game, and we are not on equal footing here.