The Riga City Court has temporarily suspended the activities of the 'New Harmony' political party for one month due to its failure to return illegally obtained funds and submit required financial reports.
On February 4, the Riga City Court ruled in favor of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), granting a one-month suspension of the 'New Harmony' political party's activities. This decision stems from the party's failure to reimburse the state budget for illegally obtained financial resources amounting to 2,874 euros, as mandated by KNAB in 2023. Despite multiple warnings, the party did not comply with this requirement, leading to the court's decision to intervene.
Additionally, the KNAB found that the party had not submitted its annual report for 2024 and subsequently incurred a fine of 1,800 euros, which also remains unpaid. The court noted that the party had failed to rectify these violations despite several notices, underscoring a pattern of non-compliance and lack of accountability. As a result, the court mandated that during the suspension period, the party must address the requirements set forth by KNAB regarding the repayment of funds and submission of the financial report.
Representatives from the 'New Harmony' party did not attend the court hearing and provided no explanations regarding the case. This lack of response further complicates the party's standing, as this indicates possible disregard for legal processes and accountability in their operations. The implications of this ruling extend beyond immediate compliance, potentially impacting the party's political influence and public perception in Latvia.
