Official Suspected of Ties With Mafia, Latvia Joins Investigation
The Estonian national security officer tied up with bribery charges is suspected of conspiring with a Russian organized crime network, the Latvian interior minister told the press.
Latvian authorities are cooperating with Estonia in the investigation, which may involve a money laundering operation, according to minister Rihards Kozlovskis, reported Telegraf.lv.
The recently arrested Estonian security official, Indrek Põder, is suspected of colluding with Vyacheslav Shestakov, aka Sliva, who has been described in the media as “an influential Slavic kingpin.” On his part, Shestakov, who has resided in Latvia but is a Russian citizen, is suspected of connections with Aslan Usoyan, aka Grandpa Hassan, a powerful mobster in Russia.
On December 19, officials of the national security agency KAPO detained their own colleague Põder on bribery and influence peddling charges. The police's internal oversight director, Meelis Taniel, who resigned beforehand, was also detained. Two days later, a six-month arrest warrant was issued for Põder. Another individual was arrested as well.
Ott Tammik
