The prosecution, not naming the accused, previously reported that the man has been charged with rape and sexual assault. **Trip with a student and hotel room** According to the indictment, the man, who worked as a professor at a higher education institution, invited a first-year student to his hotel room during a study trip. The prosecution claims that the girl agreed, trusting the teacher and recognizing his authority. In the room, they consumed alcohol, which the man allegedly purchased in advance. The student became heavily intoxicated and lost her understanding of what was happening around her. The indictment asserts that the man took advantage of her helpless state, used physical force, and committed sexual acts. According to the prosecution, after returning from the trip, the teacher decided to continue a sexual relationship with the student. Using his authority, he allegedly systematically made her understand that her further education and career prospects depended on her cooperation with him, including sexual relations. The prosecution claims that the man regularly sent the student messages, invited her to meetings, paid for lunches, and bought gifts, seeking to gain her trust and achieve emotional dependence. Subsequently, according to the prosecution, in various hotel rooms, he repeatedly committed sexual acts against the student's will. The investigation believes that the girl was afraid to end the relationship due to potential consequences for her studies and professional career. **Another student is involved in the case** The indictment also mentions another first-year student. According to the prosecution, the teacher invited her to a certain ceremonial event, stating that other people would also be present. However, the specified location turned out to be a hotel room. It is alleged that the student agreed to come because she feared that refusing could negatively impact her future career. According to the indictment, the teacher, abusing his authority and using physical force, committed sexual acts against her. The prosecution emphasizes that no one is considered guilty until their guilt is established in the manner prescribed by law. **Police received testimonies from more than 60 people** The scandal surrounding JVLMA began in the spring of 2024. On March 8, the Latvian television program Kultūršoks aired a report on sexual harassment at the academy. Seven women anonymously shared their experiences in it. On March 13, the rector of JVLMA contacted the State Police, requesting to verify the information presented in the broadcast. According to the police, they became aware of at least five students who may have been victims of sexual crimes. However, only two of them agreed to cooperate with the investigation. During the pre-trial investigation, numerous procedural and investigative actions were conducted. In total, testimonies were obtained from more than 60 people. On January 24, 2025, the criminal case was transferred to the prosecutor's office of the Riga judicial district for the initiation of criminal prosecution. **Kupčs suspended from work** JVLMA previously suspended Maris Kupčs. Subsequently, the Riga District Court ruled to reinstate him in his position. However, this labor dispute concerned the correctness of the academy's application of legislative norms and was not related to the assessment of the charges in the criminal case. The court concluded that the State Police's decision to apply a preventive measure to the teacher could serve as a basis for his suspension, but not for dismissal. The Supreme Court, refusing to initiate cassation proceedings, also indicated that when dismissing Kupčs, the academy applied the wrong provision of the Labor Law. Kupčs' representative Andris Ekabsons previously explained that due to the existing ban on engaging in certain activities, Kupčs cannot perform his official duties. If the criminal process concludes with an acquittal, he will be able to return to work. According to Latvian television, Kupčs is currently suspended from work at JVLMA without pay. The State Police also reported that there are no other criminal cases related to the alleged sexual actions of the academy's teachers against students under police investigation. Amid the scandal, the JVLMA council expressed a lack of confidence in rector Guntars Pranišs and called for his resignation. Later, Pranišs left his position. Ilona Meija was elected as the new rector of the academy.
