Latvia: 13 police officers arrested for corruption

In Latvia, a total of fifteen police officers have already been detained since the beginning of 2026. In the Zemgale region, four officers were arrested for entering false information into documents to cover up a traffic accident involving their colleague. One police officer was detained for illegal access to personal data and passing it to third parties, while six officers from the Riga regional department of the State Police were detained for abuse of official position.

In the first half of February, the Internal Affairs Bureau (IDB) arrested a high-ranking official from the Main Police Administration, who allegedly laundered criminal proceeds together with a group of individuals. No information about the investigation's progress has been disclosed.

Among other crimes involving police officers were illegal business activities, inciting colleagues to abuse their official powers, illegal possession and use of payment funds, as well as assisting others in unlawful activities.

Context

In 2025, Latvia had already begun a broad investigation into corruption cases among law enforcement agencies.