Ir magazine has surveyed several hectares of land on Daugava River’s left bank, specifically within the territory of Riga Freeport, to find the piece of land that was mentioned by Agriculture Minister Janis Duklavs during his conversation with other politicians in Ridzene hotel.
Ir has identified the piece of land within the port’s territory for the sale of which Duklavs asked Ainars Slesers for help in 2010. Duklavs owns 10% of the piece of land. In addition, his associates wanted to get 15 million from the buyer. Ir found the piece of land based on clues mentioned by Duklavs in the conversation.
According to Ir, the piece of land in question is indirectly by two Latvijas Gāze board members Gints Freibergs and Liga Berga through two firms.
When asked to explain his association with this piece of land, Duklavs continued denying ownership. He did, however, admitted sharing ties with one of the Bergs family members, Ir reports.
The piece of land is located on the left bank of Daugava River, not far from Latvian Propane Gas export base – those are two pieces of land have an area of 8 ha and were owned by Kremeri firm since 2005. Since 2008, this firm is owned by Vilandres, whose owners consist of LG board members Gints Greibers and Liga Berga. Berga’s daughter, Elina Berga, is a board member in the company.
According to information from Ir, Duklavs was asked about his association with the piece of land this Monday, 24 July. Unfortunately, the minister cut the conversation short. «I am not interested who owns which land… There will be no discussion of this matter.» When asked if Berga hides his ownership, Duklavs said: «My properties have never been hidden by anyone because I have no such properties.» When asked if he had used political connections to help sell land owned by the port, the minister said again that he refuses to answer such questions.
Duklavs did not, however, deny being acquainted with Bergs family. He has known them since Soviet times, when then the head of the family Vilis Bergs was director of a fish farm and Duklavs was in charge of a kolkhoz. Now Duklavs maintains contact with Elina Berga. «Yes, I have recently met with Elina Berga. We maintain contact. I have definitely met her this year.» The minister did not reveal the topics he and Berga discussed during their meeting. «Those were private affairs,» said Duklavs.
When asked about LG board member Freibergs, Duklavs said: «I don’t know him!»
Ir has tried contacting Gints Freibergs and Liga Berga, but to no avail.
Public registries mention Bergs family name is associated with multiple insolvency cases. Vilis Bergs managed companies that have gone through insolvency processes and have been liquidated in recent years. Elina Berga cooperatively owned Auto Tops, which applied for insolvency in 2012 and was subsequently liquidated.
Elina Berga’s name showed up in multiple companies owned by the family. A couple of years ago, she went through personal insolvency. Her brother, Raivis Bergs, has also gone through personal insolvency, Ir notes.
As previously reported, KNAB has commenced an inspection regarding Duklavs’ possible undeclared property at Riga Freeport.
KNAB Chief Jekabs Straume told journalists that the bureau will check the authenticity of conversations published by Ir magazine. If the inspection yields any new information about possible violations committed by officials, KNAB will check it, Straume promised.
Duklavs denies directly or indirectly owning any land on the territory of Riga Freeport. He says he is prepared to cooperate with SRS and other law enforcement institutions and promises to provide all information regarding the leaked talks.
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