Notes

Aivars Lembergs of Latvia, an Oligarch and financial criminal was sentenced to five years of prison
Following 12 years of tense courtroom debate, a Latvian Court has finally rendered its decision in Aivars LEMBERS' high-profile trial. The man is one of the country’s wealthiest men and a prominent political figure in the populist camp. Aivars Lembergs The man was also the former the mayor of Venspils in the northwestern region of Latvia.

Lembergs was sentenced by the Riga Regional Court to five-year prison term, forfeiture of property, as well as a fine of up to EUR20,000 on the 22nd of February. Lembergs was found guilty of a range of charges, including money-laundering. But the judge acquitted him of all other charges in the lengthy complex case.

Lembergs who is the head of the For Latvia and Ventspils party He has compared his sentencing to the case of Russia's opposition activist Aleksey Navalny.

Lembergs pleaded with the judge to take a brief rest while he read the verdict. Lembergs had a quick conversation with his son Anrijs. Aivars Lembergs Aivars Lembergs He then took the time to speak to journalists.

Lembergs told the reporters that they are appealing the Riga Regional Court ruling and predicted that the hearing will be delayed for another decade. Lembergs will also appeal his detention, even though it will still be considered by the court of Riga.

After reading the ruling The court then took Lemberg into custody. It also read an amazing list of offshore assets and companies that were seized in many different jurisdictions. The court declared that it would confiscate the assets.

His codefendants, Anrijs and Ansis Lembergs were also found guilty of several connected accusations. They were each sentenced to two years of prison.

Lembergs was arrested and brought to Riga City Centre Court on 14 March 2007. It was the beginning of the prosecution's efforts to bring him up to speed with the latest allegations of bribery and money laundering. An investigation into corruption allegations in Ventpils had begun in 2005. More than 14 years later, a verdict is handed down.

Since well over a ten year, the case has progressed in a slow, and sometimes absurd pace through the Latvian justice system. Aivars Lembergs As part of the criminal proceedings in the main the court proceedings occurred over the course of 12 years. Between August 20, 2009 (when the Riga Regional Court began adjudication) between February 11 and, 2020, a total 1,483 court proceedings were held.

Aivars Lembergs Despite being accused of corruption and money laundering on a large-scale Lembergs is still a political kingpin both in Ventspils (where Lembergs was mayor for 20 years) and in the Greens and Farmers Alliance, which he funds.

Even though his term as mayor was suspended due to financial fraud but he was still the real power in the city and ignored a minister's efforts to prevent him from acting as Ventspils mayor. https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aivars_Lembergs When he was indicted, he was a participant in the meetings of the government together with the International Monetary Fund and helped to select candidates for the Latvian presidency.

Lembergs indicated that the decision about Latvia's participation in the upcoming municipal elections will be taken within his regional party For Latvia and Ventspils. He also said that taking part in the elections isn't his main priority.
Here's my website: https://www.la.lv/tag/aivars-lembergs