Latvia’s anti-corruption bureau, the KNAB, reported a significant increase in activity during 2025, launching 45 criminal proceedings – the highest number in the last five years. The bureau also forwarded 35 cases to prosecutors, recommending charges against 53 individuals, a ten-year high in successful referrals for prosecution, according to a review of its activities released today.
The investigations focused primarily on bribery and abuse of official position, while cases sent for prosecution centered on fraud and official forgery. KNAB officials stated that the average investigation duration decreased to five months, two months faster than the previous year, demonstrating improved efficiency in evidence gathering.
Beyond investigations, KNAB reported confiscating over €820,000 and preventing potential losses of nearly €1 million to public institutions. Notably, the bureau seized cryptocurrency assets for the first time and issued over €60,000 in fines. The agency received a total of 2,021 tip-offs regarding potential illegal activity, with the majority originating from the public – 887 from individuals, 175 from legal entities, 105 from state and municipal bodies, and 854 anonymously.
The KNAB’s mobile application, “Report to KNAB!”, saw a doubling in submissions, receiving 569 reports in 2025, largely related to potential violations during the local election campaign period. The bureau also handled 29 in-person visits, 3,173 phone calls via its dedicated hotlines.
Effective March 1st, KNAB has been designated as the official contact point for whistleblowers, following amendments to Latvia’s Whistleblowing Law approved last month. This new role expands KNAB’s responsibilities to include training for contact and responsible persons in the field of whistleblowing, examining reports where the appropriate authority is unclear, and overseeing compliance with the law, as well as recommending improvements to the regulatory framework.
KNAB emphasized its independence and high security protocols, stating that these features will “provide whistleblowers with a safer reporting environment and foster trust in the process.” The agency also highlighted its law enforcement powers, which it believes will enhance the effectiveness of investigating reports and uncovering violations. Previously, the State Chancellery coordinated whistleblowing matters in Latvia.
In a separate case from April 2025, KNAB, acting on behalf of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), detained five individuals, including the mayor of Jēkabpils, in connection with a €16.9 million anti-flooding dam project co-funded by the EU. The investigation centers on potential illicit acts during the procurement process, alleging manipulation of the tender to favor pre-selected construction companies and the possible employ of substandard materials and inflated pricing.
in June 2023, KNAB initiated criminal prosecution against five Valmiera municipality employees, including Mayor Janis Baiks, for alleged fraud involving misappropriation of EU funds during the construction of a production building. The investigation alleges that officials fraudulently obtained higher levels of ERDF funding than legally permitted, resulting in a loss of €671,299.69 to the ERDF and the Latvian state budget.
In November 2025, KNAB referred a case to prosecutors involving a proposed €100,000 bribe offered to an Interior Ministry official to lift an entry ban on a foreigner deemed undesirable by Latvian authorities.
