The Latvian Prosecutor's Office is contemplating submitting a renewed request to the European Parliament regarding the lifting of immunity for Nil Ušakov, a former mayor of Riga and current MEP, who is involved in a criminal investigation for alleged corruption. This consideration follows an earlier attempt in April 2024, when the European Parliament did not support the lifting of his parliamentary immunity. Ušakov, who has recently been re-elected, is currently under suspicion in an ongoing corruption case, which has raised significant concerns within the Latvian legal and political framework.

General Prosecutor Armīns Meister stated that they are evaluating additional circumstances that could strengthen their case in order to persuade decision-makers in the European Parliament to authorize the prosecution. The prosecutor's office argues that there are new developments that provide sufficient grounds for reconsidering Ušakov's immunity. It is crucial for the legal process to obtain this consent from the European Parliament as the investigation cannot proceed without it, leaving Ušakov in a state of legal limbo while the case is on hold.

This situation underscores the complexities and challenges of prosecuting public officials who hold parliamentary immunity, particularly in cases involving potential corruption. The decision by the European Parliament to either lift Ušakov's immunity or refuse the request again could have serious implications for both local governance in Latvia and Ušakov's political future. The evolving legal proceedings will be closely watched by the public and political analysts alike, as they reflect broader issues of accountability and transparency in government.