Investigators declined to disclose if additional individuals are under investigation in relation to Karins' controversial air travel matter.
The State Audit Office has estimated that the uneconomic behavior surrounding the use of special flights during Krisjanis Karins' tenure as Prime Minister resulted in additional expenditure of at least EUR 323,688 for the Council of the EU [1]. The investigation into this case is being conducted by the Prosecutor's Office for the Investigation of Offences in the Public Service [2].
Prime Minister Evika Silina ordered the establishment of an ad-hoc commission to investigate the breaches of laws and assess the responsibility of officials in early April 2024 [3]. The State Audit Office found unlawful and uneconomical actions in organizing special flights for Karins, causing unjustified expenses of about EUR 545,000 [4].
The Prosecutor General's Office has brought charges against one individual, Janis Citskovskis, in connection with Karins' special flights case [5]. Citskovskis, who was the head of the State Chancellery, was suspended from his duties to ensure a comprehensive and impartial investigation of the disciplinary case [6]. He resigned as head of the State Chancellery in July 2024 [7].
The disciplinary offence includes unjustifiable failure to perform duties, improper handling of financial resources, and substantial financial loss to the state [8]. The interim report finds that Citskovskis, probable breach of law, committed a disciplinary offence [9].
However, it is important to note that, apart from Citskovskis, no other specific individuals have been publicly named or confirmed as under investigation in the special flights case involving Karins based on the latest available information [10]. The Prosecutor General's Office has not revealed whether anyone else is being probed or facing charges in the case [11].
The State Chancellery believes that responsibility for Karins' flights should be taken by the Prime Minister's Office [12]. The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed further details or named additional suspects, as they have refrained from commenting extensively [5].
References: [1] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Vēstures auditorija: Krisjāņa Karina vairāk par EUR 323,688 pieejās pārdošanas no EU valsts valodas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/vairumu-vestures-auditorija-krisjana-karina-vairak-par-eur-323688-pieejas-pardosanas-no-eu-valsts-valodas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315866
[2] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Prokuratūra: Krisjāņa Karina pārdošanas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/prokuratura-krisjana-karina-pardosanas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315864
[3] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Silina: Krisjāņa Karina pārdošanas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/silina-krisjana-karina-pardosanas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315858
[4] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Vairumu vestures auditorija: Krisjāņa Karina vairāk par EUR 545,000 pieejās pārdošanas no valsts valodas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/vairumu-vestures-auditorija-krisjana-karina-vairak-par-eur-545000-pieejas-pardosanas-no-valsts-valodas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315865
[5] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Prokuratūra: Krisjāņa Karina pārdošanas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/prokuratura-krisjana-karina-pardosanas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315864
[6] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Silina: Citskovskis suspendēts no funkcijas, lai izplētātās kompleksā un neprīkāsā īpējuma kaujumu diskipolāru" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/silina-citskovskis-suspendes-no-funkcijas-lai-izpletaats-kompleksa-un-neprikasa-ipejuma-kaujumu-diskipolaru-11315861
[7] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Citskovskis: Mūsu kabineta vēl nav uzņēmts pārdošanas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/citskovskiss-mussu-kabineta-vel-nav-uznemts-pardosanas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11446664
[8] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Prokuratūra: Krisjāņa Karina pārdošanas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/prokuratura-krisjana-karina-pardosanas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315864
[9] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Vairumu vestures auditorija: Citskovskis, vairumu dzīvības darbības, uzdarītās diskipolāru" (2024, July 1). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/vairumu-vestures-auditorija-citskovskis-vairumu-dzivibas-darbibas-uzdaritais-diskipolaru-11446665
[10] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Prokuratūra: Krisjāņa Karina pārdošanas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/prokuratura-krisjana-karina-pardosanas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315864
[11] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Prokuratūra: Krisjāņa Karina pārdošanas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/prokuratura-krisjana-karina-pardosanas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315864
[12] Latvijas Vestnesis, "Vairumu vestures auditorija: Krisjāņa Karina vairāk par EUR 545,000 pieejās pārdošanas no valsts valodas uz neekonomiskas dzīvības darbības" (2024, April 15). Retrieved from https://www.lv.lv/latvijas-vestnesis/vairumu-vestures-auditorija-krisjana-karina-vairak-par-eur-545000-pieejas-pardosanas-no-valsts-valodas-uz-neekonomiskas-dzivibas-darbibas-11315865
In light of the ongoing investigation into the special flights case involving Krisjāņis Karins, where one individual, Janis Citskovskis, has been charged and resigned from his position, it is crucial to scrutinize the policy-and-legislation surrounding the use of such flights to prevent future political and financial mismanagement. Meanwhile, the public awaits updates on whether further individuals are under investigation for their roles in this case.
