Krustkalnu fire: prosecution reopens criminal case over deaths of two children
The General Prosecutor's Office has reopened the criminal case concerning the tragic fire in Krustkalnu, in which two children died. The police decision to close the case has been deemed unfounded.
Prosecution reopens investigation into Krustkalnu fire case
The General Prosecutor's Office has reopened the criminal case concerning a fire in Krustkalnu village, Ķekava municipality, in which two children died in the early morning of 16 January, whilst the children's mother and another child sustained injuries. This was established by the LETA news agency and reported by la.lv.
Representatives of the injured Dmitriyev family from the law office "Landmesere and Partners" informed the LETA news agency that on Monday a response was received from the General Prosecutor's Office Criminal Law Department. The prosecutor, exercising the powers of a senior prosecutor in the next office and having examined the materials of the criminal case, concluded that the request contained in the complaint to reopen the criminal case was well-founded. The prosecution also confirmed to the LETA news agency that the case has been reopened.
The State Police previously rejected allegations of incomplete or inadequate investigation. The police emphasised that the investigation was conducted carefully and objectively — more than 25 persons were questioned, several inspections were carried out, as well as chemical and technical expert examination of the fire. The supervising prosecutor, repeatedly checking the materials, did not find any violations or delay in the investigation.
Based on the Criminal Procedure Law, a decision was made on 10 August to terminate the criminal case, as no liability of natural or legal persons was established.
However, the injured family's lawyer Karīna Landmesere publicly stated that a number of shortcomings had been permitted in the investigation. Her complaint became the basis for the prosecution's decision to reopen the case.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)