Ex-head of Latvian Railways tried to escape arrest

Photo: SCANPIX

Ugis Magonis, the former head of Latvijas Dzelzcels (Latvian Railways), tried to escape from the anti-corruption officers who arrived to detain him last week, information obtained by BNS suggests.

According to unofficial information Magonis was detained as he was returning from Estonia in a car driven by his chauffeur, but the first attempt to arrest him was made already at the Estonian-Latvian border. Ignoring an order to pull over, the two started to flee at a speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour.

The chase ended after several kilometers when the vehicles reached a road section under reconstruction, which made fast driving impossible. Magonis was detained by officers of the Latvian Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau.

A bribe worth nearly half a million euros was found in the car of Magonis as he was returning home from Estonia, Panorama, the evening news program of Latvian public television, reported citing unofficial information. It still remains unclear whether Magonis was supposed to share the bribe with somebody and whether the operation could be considered complete after this one arrest.  

It is also possible that the Estonian Internal Security Service were involved in Magonis's detention last week, according to what a representative of the Estonian security police told Panorama on the phone.

The Latvian daily Diena reported over the weekend that Magonis was detained on Thursday evening by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) based on a suspicion that he accepted half a million euros in bribe in relation to the recent procurement of four old diesel trains worth several millions of euros from Skinest, a company of Oleg Ossinovski.

Estonian authorities last week conducted a search on the Tallinn work premises of Oleg Ossinovski. BNS has learned that the search took place in the second half of the week. Spokespeople at the Estonian chief prosecutor's office refused comment on Monday, just saying that law enforcement authorities of Latvia have sent a request for legal assistance to their Estonian counterparts in connection with a criminal procedure.

Officers of KNAB on Thursday conducted a search at Magonis's office and detained him. The Riga Regional Court on Saturday ruled to remand Magonis in custody, the Latvian public broadcaster reported. On Friday, Magonis was dismissed as head of Latvijas Dzelzcels and Avars Straksas, a member of the board, was appointed acting head of the company. Transport Minister Anrijs Matiss said Magonis was detained in connection with a business deal.

Ossinovski has said there was no foul play involved in the transaction.