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In May 2019, officials of the Zemgale Region Office of the State Police initiated criminal proceedings under Section 102, Paragraph two of the Criminal Law – for pollution of land with dangerous or other harmful substances, if it has caused significant damage to the natural environment, property or economic interests. The said criminal proceedings were initiated on the basis of information provided by the State Environmental Service (SES).
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According to Šmidre, a private person was detained in criminal proceedings who transported substances dangerous for the natural environment with a specially adapted truck (tank) and dumped on the roadsides or on the land adjacent to rural roads, thus causing significant damage to the natural environment and economic interests.
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In the course of the investigation, the Latvian company from which this hazardous waste was removed was identified, and these criminal activities were classified according to Section 99, Paragraph two of the Criminal Law – for violation of waste management regulations, if significant damage to the natural environment, human health, property or economic interests, Schmidre said.
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Such an offense is punishable by up to four years’ imprisonment or a temporary custodial sentence, or forced labor, or a fine.
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The status of suspects in the said criminal proceedings is appropriate for two persons. Also in this criminal proceeding will be decided the issue of application of coercive measures to a legal person. The total material loss, consisting of the costs of rehabilitation works and compensation for victims, amounts to more than 800,000 euros, Schmidre emphasized.
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LETA has already reported that at the end of May last year, SES inspectors and police officers detained an environmental polluter who had dumped roadside roads in Zemgale with poisonous liquid.
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According to the initial assessment of VVD specialists, the spilled liquid contains cyanide ions and its origin is Olaine chemical plant “Biolars”. In response, the SES issued a decision – a warning about the possible partial suspension of Biolars – to stop the production of porphyry. According to the law, such a warning is the first step in encouraging the company to close down.
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Although he does not plead guilty, Biolars said he was ready to partially clean up the contaminated sites.
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Later, Biolars has appealed against the decisions issued by the SES regarding the polluted roadsides in Zemgale, thus the service considers that the company is deliberately delaying the examination of the process and the cleaning of the contaminated sites.
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Criminal proceedings were instituted for the violation. The VP has also received confirmation that the car, which was caught on May 24, is pouring a chemical into Bauska region along a road, has left the “Biolars” factory.
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