A former ABLV representative in Belarus, Ernest Bernis, known to have worked for 14 and a half years with the company has been arrested and detained in connection with a money laundering case of 50 million euros. Bernis denied the allegation but said he knew someone from a criminal organization who is currently being investigated by the prosecutor’s office. Another suspected lawyer Andris Putnins has been arrested in connection with money laundering. He allegedly registered companies along with several other foreigners and it is believed that they carry out illegal transactions through these companies and also hide the true beneficiaries.
The recent actions of the security forces have been linked with the upcoming assessment of the working group in February, where a verdict will be reached on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Latvia Anti-money laundering system.
