PIZZAGATE LATVIA (PART 1.03)

Subjects say scandal was hell

•  2000-08-17
 
•  Jorgen Johansson

RIGA - Chairman of the parliamentary investigative commission on 

pedophilia, Janis Adamsons, said after the close of the investigation 

that he was disappointed with the prosecutor's work.

"First of all, the prosecutor who researched Skele, Birkavs and Sonciks 

did not do his job properly," Adamsons said. "For instance, nobody 

revealed that there was a case against these three."

The Prosecutor Gene-ral's Office closed the pedophilia investigation

 against former Prime Minister Andris Skele, former Justice Minister 

Valdis Birkavs and State Revenue Service's director general Andrejs 

Sonciks Aug. 1 because of a lack of evidence. All information received 

by the parliament's investigative commission on these three has been

 invented and is false, the prosecutor's office reported.

Skele and Sonciks said Adamsons abused his responsibility in making

 the accusations.

Adamsons does not want to take any blame for the closing of the 

investigation. Rather, he accused witnesses for not being honest in their 

testimonies.

"All the witnesses have lied to the commission," Adamsons said. 

"It's absurd, they all have different nationalities and come from different 

social groups."

However, Adamsons predicted two possible scenarios in the near future.

"The first is to try and press criminal charges against me. Still, it is very 

difficult," Adamsons said. "The second is for Modris Adlers of the 

General Prosecutor's Office to announce that all the witnesses lied to the 

commission."

According to Adamsons, he has sent the prosecutor more than enough 

proof to convict Skele, Birkavs and Sonciks.

"Among the evidence are fivevideo tapes showing time, places, 

locations, people and cars," Adamsons said.

When pressed to answer more precisely when, where and who, 

Adamsons said he actually meant five video- taped testimonies. Still, 

he also hinted he had additional evidence up his sleeve.

"I don't want to show all my cards," Adamsons said. " I think there will be 

a new investigative commission."

Skele told The Baltic Times that Adamsons' speech in Parliament in 

February, when he named Skele, Birkavs and Sonciks among others as child abusers, was very unpleasant.

"I don't doubt that what he was doing was a crime," Skele said. 

"The legislation gives huge protection to the MPs, but along with that 

comes a great responsibility."

Sonciks said he would not wish it upon his worst enemy to go through 

what he did.

"I am most bothered by what my children, parents and wife had to go 

through," Sonciks said.

Skele criticized Adamsons' investigation and said he never had any 

witnesses.

"These people that Adamsons used as witnesses have all said how 

everything happened, and they have all said why they have done this to 

the country," Skele said. "They have all said that they don't know anything 

about this case."

When the news first spread about the pedophilia scandal in Latvia, 

the international press flocked to the feeding frenzy.

"I don't think that the responsible part of society ever thought the prime 

minister or the justice minister had done what Adamsons accused us 

of," Skele said. "But of course, what he did has caused great damage."

Sonciks said Adamsons undoubtedly has damaged the image of 

Latvia around the world.

"In my opinion, Adamsons has caused the greatest evil to himself by 

showing he can't solve a very serious question of children's rights 

without looking after his own interests and dirty little games," 

Sonciks said.

Skele said he is now willing to move on, and that he is looking 

forward to continue working in Parliament.

"The right wing coalition in Parliament has many fundamental

 tasks," Skele said. "We have a lot of work to do."

After Adamsons' February speech in Parliament, the then Minister 

of Justice Valdis Birkavs told media he would go on a hunger 

strike until Adamsons would present all his evidence. 

Today Birkavs just wants to keep a low profile.

Birkavs said he didn't wish to make any comments.

"I am not linked at all to this case," Birkavs said.

Adamsons still doesn't want the investigators to have the last word.

"Most of the MPs are not happy about the prosecutor's decision,"

 Adamsons said. "They believed more in the commission."

Although Skele accepts the prosecutor's decision, he thinks some 

questions will never be answered.

"I think only with time, or maybe never, will we know why this was 

done to our country," Skele said. "I don't think we will never know 

who invented this story."

Sonciks is of the firm belief that MPs will hang Adamsons out to dry.

"Of course, MPs will vote for giving him over for criminal prosecution," 

Sonciks said. "In law-abiding states, which Latvia is trying to be, 

people like Adamsons too should understand they will have to answer 

for what they say and do."

Janis Maizitis, general prosecutor, is currently trying to shine some

 light on the situation. In a written request he has asked Parliament's 

permission to prosecute Adamsons for intentionally spreading insulting 

and slandering statements about Skele, Birkavs and Sonciks.

"As a result of these activities, he has caused considerable damage 

to the state and to the legally protected rights and interests of persons, 

causing serious consequences," reported a representative of the 

General Prosecutor's Office.

Sonciks said the most important question now is how to resolve the 

criminal case against Adamsons.

"I don't exclude the possibility of issuing a civil slander lawsuit against 

Adamsons," Sonciks said.

According to the General Prosecutor's Office, Adamsons' statements 

have qualified as a criminal offense according to Latvia's criminal law. 

There are also criminal cases initiated against those who gave false

 testimonies during the pre-trial investigation.