Today, 20:14
Authors: Aleksejs Dunda (Latgales redakcijas informatīvo formātu un analītiskā satura producents )
"Prison is not the worst place. People live there. I am ready for it, I am ready to serve my sentence there," former Daugavpils mayor Rihards Eigims said about his upcoming prison sentence on the LSM Latgale editorial programme "Vietējais jautājums" ("Local question").
In 2018, Rihards Eigims was detained by officers of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB). He was accused of taking bribes and illegally possessing ammunition.
According to the indictment, Eigims demanded a bribe of ten thousand euros. Eight cartridges were also found in his home.
The first instance court sentenced the former mayor of Daugavpils, accused of bribery, to three years in prison. In June last year, the Riga Regional Court reduced the sentence to one and a half years. It is not yet known when the final verdict could be handed down.
"I hope to only spend 12 months in prison," Eigims commented. At the same time, he indicated in the interview that he still does not admit to the bribery charge.
The ex-politician – a graduate of the police academy – is only willing to answer for the possession of the cartridges: "I should have handed over these cartridges. I handed over my pistol. I had a weapon permit. I handed over the pistol, I handed over one magazine. But I forgot the other one under the papers. But again – no one threw these eight cartridges at me. I forgot. Sorry! It's my own fault. I will be responsible for that."
Rihards Eigims has been the mayor of Daugavpils three times and was also a member of the Saeima for three terms, representing the Greens and Farmers Union (ZZS). He has now retired from politics and is developing a private recreation park near Daugavpils.
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