Over 60 intelligentsia representatives and politicians ask that detained architect Lejnieks be released
More than 60 politicians and representatives of intelligentsia today turned to Prosecutor General Janis Maizitis asking that the detained State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection^apostrofs;s deputy head, architect Janis Lejnieks, be released. As reported, Lejnieks was detained on bribery charges by the Corruption Prevention Bureau.
More than 60 politicians and representatives of intelligentsia today turned to Prosecutor General Janis Maizitis asking that the detained State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection's deputy head, architect Janis Lejnieks, be released. As reported, Lejnieks was detained on bribery charges by the Corruption Prevention Bureau.
The joint-stock company "Pilsetprojekts" director, architect Daila Senberga, informed LETA that the petitioners were ready to post bail for Lejnieks.
Whereas Corruption Prevention Bureau's stance has not changed and it still believes that Lejnieks has to remain in custody, the bureau's representative Ilze Leimane told LETA. The bureau asked the court to arrest Lejnieks for ten days, which it did. These ten days have not passed yet, she said.
The petition has been signed by many prominent persons: chairman of the Latvian Architects Union Juris Poga, Riga Latvian Society chairman, writer Valdis Rumnieks, Riga Historic Center Preservation and Development Council's chairwoman Dace Neiburga, Culture Capital Fund's director, painter Edgars Verpe, sculptor Pauls Jaunzems, UNESCO Latvian National Commission's deputy secretary general Rolands Ozols, Riga Technical University professor Janis Krastins, 8th Saeima deputies Karlis Sadurskis (New Era, JL) and Inguna Ribena (JL), architects Anda Argale, Modris Gelzis, Vladimirs Neilands, Andris Purvins, Vita Rauhvargere, Edvins Vecumnieks, Alvis Zlaugotnis, as well as artists, art scientists, historians and others.
According to the petition, Lejnieks' personality and contribution to the development of architecture and city development, work in the Union of Architects, Riga Cultural Heritage Development Coordination Council, Latvian National Library Support Fund's board, Cultural Capital Fund's council, "Latvijas Architektura" magazine and other organizations prove that he respects society values and rule of the law in a civil society.
The petition says it is unimaginable that Lejnieks, who has contributed greatly to Latvia's cultural development, might try to hinder investigation if released on bail. It also says choosing arrest as a measure of precaution for Lejnieks is an ungrounded decision.
As reported, on March 22, Riga Vidzeme District Court decided to arrest Lejnieks on bribery charges. Lejnieks will be remanded in custody for ten days, until April 1.
After the court session, Lejnieks refused to comment on the case to reporters, stressing he was not guilty.
As reported, the Corruption Prevention Bureau suspects Lejnieks of accepting a bribe of LVL 1,000 to authorize a construction project. Lejnieks received the money through two intermediaries, who are also suspects in the case.
The State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection's other deputy head, Janis Asaris, told LETA that the bribery affair could be linked with reconstruction of a building on Valdemara Street in Riga.
The Corruption Prevention Bureau was reported about the bribery affair by an anonymous person who had telephoned the bureau's toll-free line.
Lejnieks has a doctorate in architecture from Riga Polytechnical Institute. He has been working as the deputy head of the Cultural Monument Protection Inspection since 1992. He was appointed director of the Latvian Architecture Museum and editor in chief of the "Latvijas Architektura" magazine in 1995.
Lejnieks is also member of the Latvian Architects Union's board, he was chairman of the union's board between 1996 and 1999. Lejnieks is also member of the Riga Cultural Heritage Development Coordination Council, Latvian National Library Support Fund's board, Cultural Capital Fund's council, he also represents Latvia on the Baltic Countries Cultural Heritage Committee.
The joint-stock company "Pilsetprojekts" director, architect Daila Senberga, informed LETA that the petitioners were ready to post bail for Lejnieks.
Whereas Corruption Prevention Bureau's stance has not changed and it still believes that Lejnieks has to remain in custody, the bureau's representative Ilze Leimane told LETA. The bureau asked the court to arrest Lejnieks for ten days, which it did. These ten days have not passed yet, she said.
The petition has been signed by many prominent persons: chairman of the Latvian Architects Union Juris Poga, Riga Latvian Society chairman, writer Valdis Rumnieks, Riga Historic Center Preservation and Development Council's chairwoman Dace Neiburga, Culture Capital Fund's director, painter Edgars Verpe, sculptor Pauls Jaunzems, UNESCO Latvian National Commission's deputy secretary general Rolands Ozols, Riga Technical University professor Janis Krastins, 8th Saeima deputies Karlis Sadurskis (New Era, JL) and Inguna Ribena (JL), architects Anda Argale, Modris Gelzis, Vladimirs Neilands, Andris Purvins, Vita Rauhvargere, Edvins Vecumnieks, Alvis Zlaugotnis, as well as artists, art scientists, historians and others.
According to the petition, Lejnieks' personality and contribution to the development of architecture and city development, work in the Union of Architects, Riga Cultural Heritage Development Coordination Council, Latvian National Library Support Fund's board, Cultural Capital Fund's council, "Latvijas Architektura" magazine and other organizations prove that he respects society values and rule of the law in a civil society.
The petition says it is unimaginable that Lejnieks, who has contributed greatly to Latvia's cultural development, might try to hinder investigation if released on bail. It also says choosing arrest as a measure of precaution for Lejnieks is an ungrounded decision.
As reported, on March 22, Riga Vidzeme District Court decided to arrest Lejnieks on bribery charges. Lejnieks will be remanded in custody for ten days, until April 1.
After the court session, Lejnieks refused to comment on the case to reporters, stressing he was not guilty.
As reported, the Corruption Prevention Bureau suspects Lejnieks of accepting a bribe of LVL 1,000 to authorize a construction project. Lejnieks received the money through two intermediaries, who are also suspects in the case.
The State Cultural Monument Protection Inspection's other deputy head, Janis Asaris, told LETA that the bribery affair could be linked with reconstruction of a building on Valdemara Street in Riga.
The Corruption Prevention Bureau was reported about the bribery affair by an anonymous person who had telephoned the bureau's toll-free line.
Lejnieks has a doctorate in architecture from Riga Polytechnical Institute. He has been working as the deputy head of the Cultural Monument Protection Inspection since 1992. He was appointed director of the Latvian Architecture Museum and editor in chief of the "Latvijas Architektura" magazine in 1995.
Lejnieks is also member of the Latvian Architects Union's board, he was chairman of the union's board between 1996 and 1999. Lejnieks is also member of the Riga Cultural Heritage Development Coordination Council, Latvian National Library Support Fund's board, Cultural Capital Fund's council, he also represents Latvia on the Baltic Countries Cultural Heritage Committee.
