On Thursday, May 21, a Belarusian citizen who attempted to bribe border guards was detained at the border inspection post of the Pathermen.
In carrying out border checks on persons and vehicles crossing the State border, border guards identified a “Corona Slim” cigarette block without excise stamps in the cabin of a truck driven by a Belarusian citizen travelling in Latvia.
To cross the country's border with a cigarette block, the driver gave border guards a bribe of five euros.
In the case of bribery against a suspected Belarusian citizen born in 1993, criminal proceedings were initiated following the first paragraph of Section 323 of the Criminal Law, while a person has been held criminally liable by the Prosecutor's Office of the District of Kraslav, entering into an agreement with the Prosecutor on the recognition of guilt and a fine of 10 minimum monthly salaries, i.e. the fixing of €4,300, which will take effect within 10 days.
Bribery qualifies as a serious crime for which deprivation of liberty under the Criminal Law of Latvia is threatened for up to five years, temporary deprivation of liberty, forced labour or a fine of ten to two thousand minimum monthly salaries specified by the Republic of Latvia.
Information prepared by: Olanta Babishko, senior specialist of the Strategic Development and Public Relations Division of the State Border Guard, Tel. 67075617, mob. 20364206, e-mail: jolanta.babisko@rs.gov.lv