On 5 June this year, the State Police's Organised Crime Management has completed an investigation and has sent criminal proceedings to the Prosecutor's Office for the initiation of criminal proceedings regarding sutenerism in three Gentlemen's clubs in Riga and money laundering. Ten persons have been recognised as suspects of that crime.
The investigation revealed that these Gentlemen clubs operated during the long-term period from 2015 to 2018. Club customers were mostly wealthy foreign tourists. At a night club under the cover of a strip and show program, for a separate fee, the club's customers were able to receive sexual services.
In the context of the criminal proceedings launched in 2018, the law enforcement officers imposed arrests on 35 sites (money, bank accounts, movable and immovable property) with a total value of more than EUR 500 000. Members of the organised group also incited legalisation of proceeds of crime by more than €400 000. The process carried out extensive and sophisticated screenings of items removed, which required the involvement of different specialists.
Criminal proceedings were initiated in the context of the proceedings, qualified in accordance with the third paragraph of Article 165 of the Criminal Law (on sutenerism carried out by an organised group) and in accordance with the third paragraph of Article 195 of the Criminal Law (on the laundering of proceeds committed to a large extent). In criminal proceedings, the national police identified ten persons as suspects – two men and eight women (club owners, administrators and accountant).
23 episodes were incited in connection with money laundering.
Chief of the Human Trade and Sutenerism Division of the State Police, Armands Lubarts, points out that a major and complex investigation had been carried out for two years, worked on a joint team with the supervising prosecutor's office. The State and Local Government Police, as well as the State Revenue Service departments, also provided substantial support for the investigation. Criminal proceedings have now been sent to the public prosecutor's office for prosecution.
Prepared by:
Krista Andersone
Senior Officer
of the State Police
Public Relations Department
Tel: 67075088, 27876309
krista.andersone@vp.gov.lv