Wikileaks: KNAB cīņā pret Vaškeviču centies izmantot pat tenkas ASV vēstniecībai

Vienā no publiskotajām telegrammām ASV vēstnieks Čārlzs Larsons 2008. gada augustā atzinis, ka KNAB vēstniecību informējis: pēc tam, kad birojs Vaškeviču oficiāli informējis, ka viņš kādā krimināllietā ir aizdomās turamas personas statusā un tiek aicināts sniegt liecības, muitas ierēdnis esot aizbēdzis no valsts.

Savukārt jau pēc pašas ASV vēstniecības veiktas pārbaudes vairāki avoti tai tomēr apliecinājuši, ka patiesībā Vaškevičs valsti pametis likumīgi un devies uz savas meitas kāzām Kiprā, savukārt KNAB vēstniecību par šo „detaļu” tā arī nav informējis.

Centīgi ASV vēstniecību par Vaškeviču informējis nu jau bijušais KNAB priekšnieks Aleksejs Loskutovs: viņš par Vaškeviču un viņa vadīto Muitas kriminālpārvaldi izteicies īpaši kodīgi – tas esot „korumpēts” un „izmantojot savas amatpersonas kā privātu drošības dienestu”, kas sadarbību ar viņu padarot „neiespējamu”.

Tāpat Loskutovs ASV vēstniecību informējis arī par norisēm, kas plašākai sabiedrībai Latvijā tika slēptas, - cita starpā arī par to, kā veicas ar kriminālprocesiem pret Vaškeviču un kāda varētu būt to tālākā virzība. Arī „KNAB avoti” ASV vēstniecīai atklājuši, ka „galvenais process pret Vaškeviču ir pabeigts, bet ir iespējams, ka nāktonē pret viņu tiks izvirzītas papildu apsūdzības”.

Savukārt KNAB izmeklētāji, kā rāda publiskotās šifrogrammas, mēģinājuši Vaškeviča pēdas atrast visdažādākajās krimināllietās. Tā piemēram, kāds izmeklētājs pieprasījis no ASV vēstniecības konsulāro informāciju par Vaškeviču un viņa ģimeni, kas, „iespējams, saista viņus ar pasu skandālu janvārī, kad cilvēkiem, kas nekvalificējās Latvijas pasēm, tās tika izdotas nelikumīgi”.

Interesanti, ka, kaut gan informācijas plūsma darījusi savu un ASV vēstniecības izlūkošanas šefs pat izteicis savu „personisko, neapstiprināto viedokli”, ka arī pēdējā Vaškeviča spridzināšana esot bijusi viņa paša roku darbs, vēstniecība KNAB prasīto konsulāro informāciju tā arī nav sniegusi.

KNAB, kas pēdējā laikā izvairās sniegt atbildes uz tam nepatīkamiem jautājumiem, pirmdien nesniedza atbildi uz jautājumu, vai birojā ir veiktas kādas dienesta pārbaudes par tā darbiniekiem, kas kalpo par informācijas avotiem ārvalstu vēstniecībām.

Pietiek šodien publicē visas ASV vēstniecības šifrogrammas, kurās pieminēts Vladimirs Vaškevičs.

PIEUS embassy cable - 08RIGA507

ALLEGED CORRUPTION COSTS CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT CHIEF HIS CLEARANCE; JOB?

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DE RUEHRA #0507/01 2341042

ZNY SSSSS ZZH

R 211042Z AUG 08

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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5183

INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIGA 000507

NOFORN SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2018 TAGS: PGOV, KCOR, KJUS, PSNR, LG SUBJECT: ALLEGED CORRUPTION COSTS CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT CHIEF HIS CLEARANCE; JOB?

REF: A. TD314/78341-07 B. TD314/67766-07 C. 07RIGA383

D. RIGA23

Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson Jr. Reason 1.4 (b and d)

1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Valdimirs Vaskevics, head of the law enforcement arm of Latvian customs, has been stripped of his security clearance pursuant to an extensive investigation into corruption allegations. Technically, he can remain in his position, but he can't have access to classified information so, practically, he can no longer function in his job.

This action by the intel service comes after years of suspicion, a lengthy and involved Anti-Corruption Bureau (KNAB) investigation, and allegations of extraordinary, People,s Party-supported corruption.

The extent of his alleged illegal dealings range from bribery and extortion through abuse of his office, to (in the personal, unconfirmed view of the intelligence Chief) staging his own attempted murder.

The KNAB has designated him a "person of suspicion," but the investigation is still ongoing and they have not yet forwarded a case to the Prosecutor General. END SUMMARY

2. (C) On August 8, 2008 the press reported that Valdimirs Vaskevics, the head of the State Revenue Service Custom's Criminal Board (the law enforcement arm of the customs agency), lost his security clearance.

We confirmed that with officials at the Constitutional Protection Bureau (SAB). In late 2007 the SAB downgraded his clearance level from Top Secret to Secret (to be reviewed every two months) after a background investigation by the KNAB.

At that time his Customs Board position was redefined so he could keep his office with the lower level of clearance.

Now the SAB has completely banned Vaskevics from access to state secrets, and, for all intents and purposes, he can no longer do his job.

Although the Finance Minister has asked the State Revenue Service to look for candidates for his position, Vaskevics has not yet been dismissed, as he has been on sick leave since July 28 and must be physically present to be fired.

3. (C) According to the press, in July 2008 Dzintars Jakans, the State Revenue Service Director General and Vaskevics' boss, ordered an internal probe into Vaskevics' activities. Jakans ordered a special commission to evaluate the situation and submit a report.

Only based on that information, Jakans stated, would he consider whether or not to dismiss Vaskevics.

At that time Vaskevics stated to the press that he would not resign because he liked his work and wanted to continue what he had started. There has been no recent report of the commission's work and have been unable to verify whether it is still functioning.

4. (S/NF) Vaskevics is shrouded in suspicion.

The KNAB states that he was involved in illegal property deals between 2002 and 2007 and the press regularly reports on his alleged involvement in various corruption schemes, including possibly narcotics trafficking.

 Sensitive reporting from post GRPO last autumn suggested that Vaskevics uses his position to extract bribes from various people looking to ship through/into Latvia and that he funnels a large amount of this money to the People,s Party to support their activities.

In return, they protect him in his job and allow him to keep some of the money. (ref A and B)

There have been three attempts on Vaskevics' life, and, according to post GRPO, the most recent (ref. C) was possibly one he, himself, staged to draw attention away from his illegal activities and refocus suspicion on others (this is according to unconfirmed, personal suspicions of the SAB Chief). Vaskevics' ex-wife, with whom he still shares a home, is also under investigation for allegedly overcharging the government for the purchase of some land she sold the GOL for a new headquarters building for the customs service.

According to Post GRPO information, her brother is reported to be an active Russian FSB officer.

5. (C) The KNAB confirmed to us in June that they were getting close to indicting Vaskevics and alleged that when they notified him that he was a "person of suspicion" in a criminal case and asked him to go in for an interview, he fled the country.

(Note:

The Vaskevics case, as well as the investigation into the Riga City Council, were cited in the press as reasons that the coalition moved to dismiss Aleksejs Loskutovs as head of the KNAB in June.)

We subsequently confirmed with various sources that he left the country legally to attend his daughter's wedding in Cyprus.

6. (S) The KNAB investigation is ongoing; Vaskevics has never formally been charged with anything and he has not been arrested.

Earlier this year a KNAB investigator approached the U.S. Embassy, requesting Consular information on Vaskevics and his family, which allegedly ties them to the

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 passport scandal in January (ref. D) where people who did not qualify for Latvian passports were being issued them illegally.

(This Consular information was not provided to the KNAB.)

Vaskevics has publicly stated that he has had a number of meetings with KNAB and the Prosecutor's office at their request, but the KNAB has forwarded no case information to the Prosecutor General for their acion.

7. (C) COMMENT:

The SAB's action to strip him of his clearance even in the absence of a formal indictment comes as a welcome and long-expected effort toward the arrest of Valdimirs Vaskevics.

It is part of the reason we fought changes to the law proposed last year that would have allowed other agencies besides SAB to grant clearances.

Vaskevics is a key player in the shadowy network of corrupt activites that operates in support of political parties in Latvia. His successful prosecution, along with that of Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, would do much to challenge the existing order here. For exactly that reason, it will be a very tough task.

END COMMENT LARSON

US embassy cable - 08RIGA700

VASKEVICS CLOSER TO JUSTICE?

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DE RUEHRA #0700 3191548

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INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000700

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018 TAGS: PGOV, KCOR, KJUS, PSNR, LG SUBJECT: VASKEVICS CLOSER TO JUSTICE?

REF: RIGA507

Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson Jr. for reason 1.4 (b)

1. (C) Summary: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (KNAB) has forwarded the case of Vladimirs Vaskevics, former head of the Customs Police and current Deputy of the State Revenue Service, to the Prosecutor General's office for prosecution. Proposed charges against Vaskevics include participation in unlawful property transactions and incorrect income declaration. Although there is no stated timeframe for pressing charges, Vaskevics cannot leave Latvia. There are many hurdles to overcome before this case is closed and the final outcome is not sure. End Summary.

2. (C) In August Valdimirs Vaskevics lost his security clearance and was no longer able to perform his duties as the head of the Customs Police (reftel).

In early September he was promoted to the position of Deputy of the State Revenue Service, where a security clearance was not necessary.

Since that time, three Anti-Corruption Bureau (KNAB) investigators who work for KNAB Deputy Juta Strike, the head of the section investigating Vaskevics, have undergone tax audits by the state revenue service.

This is a disproportionate percentage compared to other agencies and is inconsistent with investigations of members of other institutions.

According to one opposition parliament member, Vaskevics is responsible for the audits of the KNAB investigators.

3. (C) On November 6 the KNAB forwarded the Vaskevics case to the Prosecutor General's office.

Charges against him include violations of income declaration procedure and conflict of interest.

The KNAB determined that from 2002 to 2007 Vaskevics participated in unlawful property transactions and did not correctly declare income from these deals.

He potentially faces a maximum of up to 8 years in prison for both charges.

Pending the decision of the prosecutor on how to handle these charges, Vaskevics cannot leave Latvia. A KNAB employee states that there is no set timing for action and no estimate on the whether or when the prosecutor will press charges against Vaskevics. KNAB sources confirm that the main case against Vaskevics is complete, but it is possible there will be additional charges filed against him in future.

4. (C) Comment: The fact that Vaskevics' "punishment" for losing his clearance was a promotion and pay raise demonstrates the pervasive nature of corruption in Latvia. That the State Revenue Service is investigating KNAB employees on a seemingly disproportionate basis is also a demonstration of the nature of the problem here.

That the public largely shakes their head at these things and continues to accept that "this is how things work" underscores the challenge of changing the system. If the prosecutor presses charges in the near future, and we expect he will, and a court convicts and sentences Vaskevics, this case would be a significant step in fighting corruption by state officials for the KNAB and the Prosecutor General. But, there are far too many steps before a conviction to call it a done deal.

With appeals, stalling techniques and continued individual attacks on those involved in the case through the State Revenue Service, the process will certainly take months if not years to play out, during which Vaskevics will likely retain his job or at least his salary.

End Comment LARSON

US embassy cable - 08RIGA92

AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH ANTI-CORRUPTION CHIEF (C-RE7-02279)

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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4720

INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 RIGA 000092

SIPDIS

NOFORN SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2028 TAGS: PGOV, PINR, KCOR, LG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH ANTI-CORRUPTION CHIEF (C-RE7-02279)

REF: A) STATE 168829 B) RIGA 78 C) RIGA 81

Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson, Jr.

Reasons: 1.4 (b and d )

1. (S/NF) In his introductory meeting with Ambassador Larson, anti-corruption chief Loskutovs reviewed the status of many of the significant anti-corruption cases in Latvia at the moment.

Loskutovs was optimistic that charges would be filed against Andris Skele in the digital TV cases and that the court cases against Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs would begin relatively soon.

He also reviewed the status of cooperation with other Latvian law enforcement agencies and previewed possible charges against other officials.

It is clear that Loskutovs' suspension last year did little to dampen his enthusiasm and, if anything, he seemed more energized than before.

End summary.

2. (U) Ambassador Larson called on anti-corruption bureau (KNAB) chief Aleksejs Loskutovs February 15 for an introductory call.

Loskutovs was alone.

Ambassador was accompanied by pol/econ chief (notetaker).

3. (C) Loskutovs began by saying that Latvia "lies on a border between the traditional democracies to the west and the yet to be democratic countries in the east" and the challenge is to develop more along the western model. Anti-corruption efforts were key to this goal, he said, and the KNAB had greatly benefited from training, equipment and financial assistance from the USG over the years.

He was upbeat on the generally positive views of the KNAB by Latvians, although he said that was not reflected in the political elite where KNAB was often viewed as an enemy. Loskutovs assessed that public opinion in Latvia was less tolerant of corruption than in the past.

He said that in 2007, there were no cases of alleged extortion by public officials in exchange for government services, something that had been quite common in earlier years.

He also claimed that most corrupt activity takes place outside of Latvia, in order to make it harder for KNAB to detect.

4. (S/NF) Loskutovs proceeded to provide an assessment of KNAB cooperation with other agencies.

The closest relations are with SAB (Constitutional Protection Bureau, main intelligence agency) where cooperation is "excellent."

With the Security Police, Loskutovs felt that the overall relationship was good, but expressed some concern that its chief, Janis Reiniks, is not entirely free from political interference (no examples cited). With State Police, cooperation is overall strong and many of the small and low-level corruption cases are passed to them for investigation.

Loskutovs was clear, though, that the law enforcement agencies operating under the internal revenue department (VID) were not to be trusted and that there were "serious questions about the integrity of senior officials" across the board in these agencies.

KNAB cooperates as little as possible with the financial police, asserting that they "have thwarted investigations" by KNAB.

He was especially vitriolic about the criminal investigations service of the customs bureau and its chief, Vladimirs Vasekevics.

Vasekevics is "corrupt" and "uses his officers like a private security force," making cooperation with him "impossible."

Loskutovs added that Vasekevics is likely to be indicted on corruption charges in coming months, although getting all the evidence against him is proving to be a challenge.

5. (S/NF) Examining specific cases, Loskutovs offered the following assessments:

Digital TV - This is a very serious case with over 20 people indicted so far.

Loskutovs added that he fully expected that Andris Skele, whom Loskutovs called Latvia's biggest oligarch, would be charged in the case later this year.

Lembergs - Loskutovs expressed great pride in KNAB efforts in this case, saying they had to work almost entirely alone because other institutions could not be trusted to cooperate in the investigation given the reach and influence of Lembergs and his supporters.

Asked when the case might go to trial, Loskutovs said that the corruption in other agencies made it a very slow process and it was important to double check details.

(ref c)

Nevertheless, he thought the case would be in court "in a short time" and noted that more information had come in from other countries pursuant to MLAT requests.

He cited the recent freeze on assets belonging to several of Lembergs' business associates as evidence that they were getting closer to going to trial.

Vasekevics - The investigation into the chief of the customs bureau's criminal investigation service is "active,"

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 according to Loskutovs and an indictment could be forthcoming (no time frame given).

This would be a tough case, though, both because Vasekevics is "one person in a much larger network" and because he had wisely used his criminal activity and its proceeds to garner political support and protection for himself.

(Comment: This is in line with reporting from post GPRO on Vasekevics and reported ties to the People's Party.

End comment.)

Riga City government - Loskutovs pointed to the recent arrest of a city property agency official as an important step in addressing widespread corruption in the municipal government (which controls an annual budget larger than that of the Latvian state), but said it was only the tip of the iceberg. While there are many potential cases here, Loskutovs asserted, the city government is "very difficult to penetrate."

Judges - Loskutovs was very pleased by the recent conviction of two judges for taking bribes (ref b) and said that he hoped others would be on notice that their positions as judges did not protect them from anti-corruption investigations.

6. (S/NF) Comment: This is the first Ambassadorial meeting post has had with Loskutovs since the resolution of the attempt by former PM Kalvitis to remove him from office.

He was focused and direct, and committed to his job.

His detailed accounting of coordination with other agencies and the status of specific cases was unusually detailed compared to previous meetings.

We saw no sign that the events of last fall have caused him to back off.

In fact, he seemed to pol/econ chief, who has watched him for nearly 20 months, to be more animated and more aggressive than before. LARSON

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