On 18 July, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Prosecutor General Juris Stukāns at the Riga Castle.
During the meeting, the President of Latvia asked for an explanation of the Prosecutor's Office's considerations in individual cases regarding the sentencing policy and the criteria used in determining sentences, and how it is ensured that the sentencing policy in court decisions and prosecutors' orders is not contradictory.
"Public confidence in the prosecution's ability to ensure legality and justice is built on the prosecution's ability to explain its position in specific cases, especially cases involving sensitive issues of public importance. For example, in cases concerning national security issues and the protection of individuals from violence," emphasised President Rinkēvičs.
The President of Latvia drew attention to the fact that he respected the guarantees of the independence of the judiciary and the prohibition to interfere in the specific activities of the judiciary as set out in the Law "On the Judiciary". The mission of the Prosecutor's Office as an institution of the judiciary is to ensure legality and justice, as well as to protect the rights and legitimate interests of individuals and the state. At the same time, society needs to be assured that the penalties imposed for criminal offences are proportionate and fair and take into account equally all the objectives of punishment, including the need to deter the commission of crime. This is particularly important in cases involving offences against national security in the context of hybrid war. E. Rinkēvičs called on the Prosecutor General to make proposals for amendments to the legislation in order to unify sentencing policy. These issues will be discussed at a forthcoming meeting of the National Security Council to be convened by the President.
During the meeting, the Prosecutor General informed the President of the results of the examination of the circumstances of the Jēkabpils tragedy.
