LEMBERGS OUT OF PRISON AND ON HOUSE ARREST

UNCLAS RIGA 000518 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KCRM LG SUBJECT: LEMBERGS OUT OF PRISON AND ON HOUSE ARREST 1.(U) Summary. On July 10th, the Riga Regional Court, in a closed court proceeding, granted Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs release from state prison and placed him on house arrest. Lembergs is charged with large scale money laundering and public corruption and was in prison due to the Prosecutor General's belief that Lembergs would interfere with the investigation and intimidate potential witnesses. This was the sixth appeal made by Lembergs to the court demanding his release from prison and it was finally granted. The Prosecutor General's (PG) Office has no ability to appeal this decision. There is much confusion in the public and a wide spectrum of speculation as to the reasons for this decision. To date, the judge's ruling has not been released to the public. End Summary. ¶2. (U) In his previous appeals for release, Lembergs has cited his poor health as his main reason for release. The PG's office has won past rulings in their favor by arguing that sufficient medical care can be brought to the prison and that the danger of Lembergs' interference in the investigation far outweighed his mild discomfort. While, recent pictures of Lembergs show a great deal of weight loss, there has been no evidential proof of his health problems presented to the public. ¶3. (U) The general reaction in society to this news is one of confusion. Because the court proceedings were closed to the public, the reasoning behind the decision remains unclear. The judge overseeing the case has yet to issue her ruling in writing for the public record including to persons where were present for the proceeding. 4.(U) The lack of a full text of the ruling has created what many are labeling a 'legal vacuum.' The only known condition is that Lembergs must stay at his declared place of residency. To this date, there are no other known conditions or restrictions related to his confinement including no restrictions on communication or personal meetings. Additionally, which state agency will supervise his house arrest has yet to be assigned, such as the State Police. From the time of his release, Lembergs has managed to changed his declared place of residency from his small apartment to his countryside estate. ¶5. (U) Though Lembergs has been imprisoned, he has retained his position as Mayor of Ventspils (including receiving his salary) and continues to enjoy the unwavering support of the collation member party Greens and Farmers (ZZS). ZZS supported Lembergs in the last election as their preferred Prime Minister candidate. For his part, Lembergs has stated that he simply wishes to return to work. 6.(U) There is much speculation on the timing of his release for it corresponds with the new President's first working day in office. However, both the new President, Valdis Zatlers, and the Prime Minister, Aigars Kalvitis, have stated that they do not see any possibility at this moment for Lembergs to participate in the ruling coalition council's meetings as he has done in the past. ZZS claims that they will honor all restrictions on communication with Lembergs as set by the court. 7.(SBU) Comment: This sudden reversal of decision - all six appeals have been heard and reviewed by the same judge -- coupled with the judge's hesitation to immediately release her ruling to the public has caused great public concern that the judge has been under quiet yet heavy pressure from political forces to grant the release request. For the moment, there is no apparent link between this judge and Lembergs or any of his associates. While there is much speculation about the reason for this decision, the reality is that there is not enough information available to draw credible conclusions, although it is worrying. End Comment. BAILEY