Swiss attorney Rudolf Meroni’s representatives in Latvia have been dragged into the Ventspils transit business war involuntarily. But now they have managed to achieve that the Constitutional Court (CC) steps in to sort out all the legal disputes.

Rudolf Meroni

Meanwhile, unofficial predictions suggest that the CC’s move will be something political parties will be actively bargaining about, reports the portal Pietiek.

Information on the CC webpage show that on June 8 the court accepted application by Meroni representative Daimars Skutans, where he questions judge Zigmants Gencs’ activities. Gencs had filed a protest against a ruling by a lower instance court. Skutans challenges the compliance of the Civil Procedure Law Section 483 (on the Supreme Court Department of Civil Cases Chairman’s right to file a protest) with the Constitution Article 92 (the right to fair trial).

Political bargaining is expected as Meroni’s team and its opponents – Ventspils millionaires Olafs Berkis, Olegs Stepanovs and Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs are affiliated with different political forces. Meroni’s interests are indirectly associated with the Reform Party, while Berkis is related to Unity. Lembergs is in turn the informal leader of the Greens and Farmers Union, a party in the opposition. Meroni wants the CC to accept the case, as it would allow to putt off review of Gencs’ protest. Meanwhile, the opponents – Berkis and Lembergs want the CC to dismiss the case.

The Saeima is now being dragged into the dispute, as its Legal Affairs Committee (chaired by Unity member Ilma Cepane) has to come up with a statement on facts and legal grounds. This has to be done until August 8, when it will become clear whether the committee agrees that the above-mentioned section of the Civil Procedure Law is inconsistent with the Constitution.

The position of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee will determine progress in hearing the CC case. This is something not in the interests of Meroni opponents.

As reported, the main fight in Ventspils transit business war is all about influence in the oil transit company a/s Ventbunkers. Meroni represents one side, as the General Prosecutor’s Office and Riga Regional Court have appointed him as the manager of assets secretly owned by Lembergs. He has also been entrusted to control the majority share in Ventbunkers. The other side is represented by the so-called Lembergs’ opponents – Berkis and Stepanovs. All three of them now seem to have reached a settlement.

Ref: 102.105.105.1630