Baltic States – CIS, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

Sergejs Ratnikovs.

Ratnikovs did not wish to comment to LETA, as the investigation was just opened.

LETA learned from reliable sources in the law enforcement authorities that according to Ratnikovs, several shots were fired in his direction last Friday evening in Jurmala; however, the businessman was able to conceal himself in his home. Ratnikovs informed law enforcement officials that the shots rang out the moment he stepped out of his "Toyota Land Cruiser" in the yard outside his home. Some bullets penetrated the vehicle's rear window.

Police have begun a criminal process where several standard versions of this type of incident will be explored, including the possibility of a staged attack.

This is not the first incident that the Jurmala police have explored a possibly staged murder attempt on a businessman. In one case, Igors Koblinecs, told police that shots at been fired at his "jeep" from another vehicle. Later the criminal case on attempted murder was concluded and proceedings was initiated against Koblinecs himself for deliberately giving false evidence.

As reported, Ratnikovs and his former partner, Alexandr Sadovoj, board member of Belarusian arms exporter BelTechExport, have begun a struggle for control of the firm Concors, which until recently belonged to them both equally. Since February 4, Sadovoj owns 100 percent of the company; however, Ratnikovs denies that the sale of his shares took place.

According to the information submitted by Ranikovs, the Economic Police Department of the State Police has begun an fraud investigation concerning the change of ownership of Concors.

Sadovoj's defense lawyer, Ainars Platacis, denied any claims of fraud. Sadovoj has apparently shown him a deed of purchase, on the basis of which he became sole owner of Concors.

Ratnikovs, who is a former Soviet Army colonel and the son of an aviation general, attracted the attention of the mass media once again earlier this year in connection with a case concerning the contraband movement of Russian-built "Mig-29" fighter aircraft targeting system components through Riga airport. These parts were found in warehouse buildings adjacent to the airport, which belonged to Ratnikovs' now defunct Flaters company.