Deputy Eņģelis stepped down over alleged approach to underage ward
Riga City Council deputy Mārtiņš Eņģelis likely lied about his reasons for stepping down. Diena reports that the complaint to police concerns an alleged sexual advance towards an underage ward.
Eņģelis's resignation over "burnout" — alleged sexual approach to underage ward
Riga City Council deputy Mārtiņš Eņģelis (Progressives) resigned his mandate in September, publicly citing prolonged burnout from work. Diena reports that the actual reason is likely different: an underage ward submitted a complaint to the State Police, the Ministry of Justice and the Riga Guardianship Court in early October alleging a possible sexual advance by the deputy.
The Riga City Council voted to revoke his mandate on 10 September. On social media, Eņģelis indicated that he had been experiencing burnout since May — caused by both political stress and personal matters. Information available to Diena suggests that the leadership of the Progressives party may have been informed of the true reasons for his resignation and may have even recommended that the deputy step down.
How they met
In her complaint, the young woman describes how they met in April of this year — she had been active in youth work and various projects, whilst Eņģelis worked on a Riga City Council committee dealing with youth matters. The deputy initially helped the young woman with housing and career issues, but in May began to show private interest.
According to the complainant, on 19 June Eņģelis propositioned her. There was no direct violence or resistance, but the complaint notes that a few days before, a discussion took place in messages with the deputy about the fact that she was not of legal age. The complainant also does not state that Eņģelis enquired about her consent. In the complaint about what happened, there is one specific note: "Intimate contact also took place between us. After what happened, I did not feel entirely that everything that took place was right."
Subsequent contact and seeking help
Later, the young woman attempted to clarify the nature of the relationship and told Eņģelis that she was not interested in a relationship. However, he continued to seek contact until the end of July, sending videos and text messages saying that he did not want to end the relationship and that the young woman "mattered" to him. The young woman began seeking help and received an explanation that she was being manipulated. This prompted her to file a complaint with the police in early October. She asked the Guardianship Court not to disclose what happened to her official guardian — her grandmother.
Diena has a copy of the complaint sent to the State Police, Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns and the Guardianship Court of Riga.
Responses from authorities
When asked about the complaint, the State Police respond that they do not provide information about specific individuals' complaints. "At the same time, we note that upon receiving complaints about possible criminal offences, especially against minors, they are reviewed accordingly and careful investigation is conducted," said Simona Grāvīte, head of the Police's Public Relations Division. The police neither confirm nor deny the existence of the complaint.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed the existence of the complaint without using specific names: "The Ministry of Justice informs that the minister has received a complaint from a private person and this complaint is currently being reviewed by the minister." Since the question was formulated specifically about Eņģelis and the complainant was described as an underage ward, it can be assumed that Minister Smiltēns is currently reviewing this specific complaint.
Party action and political context
Information available to Diena suggests that the Progressives leadership was likely informed of the true reasons for the events and decided to keep them quiet. This conclusion is further supported by the fact that the young woman consulted the Guardianship Court about defending her rights before 10 September — before Eņģelis's mandate was revoked.
In Diena's assessment, what happened is connected to Eņģelis's capacity as a city council deputy to influence young people's daily living needs, as well as the complainant's emotional experiences — shame and embarrassment — which could have provided a basis for manipulation.
According to news agency LETA, Eņģelis indicated on Facebook that he had been experiencing burnout since May: "As a result, I rate my current capacity to devote myself to municipal, committee and commission work as poorly — so responsibly, fully, respectfully, enthusiastically and with the intensity that voters expect."
In Diena's assessment, Eņģelis's stated reasons for leaving, whilst partly true, are sufficiently far from the complete truth that no one would reconsider the actual reasons for his resignation. Further details about the course of events are not disclosed in order to protect the young woman's privacy.
Source: Diena