(Luxembourg, 18 March 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Riga (Latvia) has dismantled an organised crime group involving public officials suspected of wrongdoing in public procurement procedures for the acquisition of IT systems by state institutions. Twenty suspects were detained yesterday, including public officials.
A total of 57 house and company searches were carried out yesterday with the support of Europol, the Economic Crime Combating Department and other Latvian law enforcement agencies. A substantial amount of evidence was seized, including from the State Digital Development Agency.
The investigation has established that an organised group of individuals entered into an unlawful secret agreement to determine in advance who would win the public procurement for at least six projects, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with up to €1.5 million. There are indications that the participants colluded to ensure that project tasks were awarded to pre-selected companies. The resulting illicit profits were allegedly shared among the co-conspirators. It is further alleged that the contracts were unlawfully secured with the assistance of public officials.
The implementation of some of the projects may also cause potential state security risks, as they could impact elections and democratic procedures.
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Latvian courts of law.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.