Foto: BB.LV / Рейнис Узулниекс
The Riga District Court will begin hearing the criminal case of former Minister of Welfare Reinis Uzulnieks on January 27, 2027, at 10:00 AM. He is accused of driving a vehicle while in a state of severe alcohol intoxication. This was reported by the LETA agency. As confirmed by the prosecutor's office, Uzulnieks was offered a plea agreement, but he declined this option. Therefore, the criminal case will be examined by the court in the usual manner. The specific punishment that the prosecutor's office proposed to the former minister has not been disclosed. The incident occurred in September 2026 in the Ropazi region. Uzulnieks was behind the wheel of a vehicle when he was stopped by municipal police officers. A check revealed an alcohol concentration of 3.09 promille. This is more than twice the threshold of 1.5 promille, after which criminal liability for driving under the influence comes into effect in Latvia. Uzulnieks fully admitted his guilt and expressed regret over the incident. However, an admission of guilt does not automatically imply agreement with the punishment proposed by the prosecutor's office. As part of the criminal proceedings, the vehicle driven by the former minister has already been seized. This measure is necessary to ensure the possible confiscation of property. Since November 2022, stricter rules for liability for driving under severe alcohol intoxication have been in effect in Latvia. If the alcohol concentration exceeds 1.5 promille, the driver faces criminal punishment. The Criminal Law provides for imprisonment for up to one year, probation supervision, and a five-year driving ban for such an offense. Additionally, the law provides for the confiscation of the vehicle if it belongs to the offender. If the vehicle is owned by another person, the full or partial value of the vehicle may be recovered from the offender. Confiscated vehicles from intoxicated drivers in Latvia are usually transferred to Ukraine for the needs of its defenders. Thus, in Uzulnieks's case, the court will have to determine not only the punishment for driving under the influence but also address the property consequences of the offense. Following the incident, there were changes in the former minister's party status. Uzulnieks is no longer a member of the Latvian Farmers' Union, which is part of the Union of Greens and Farmers. Previously, the party received his application for suspension of his membership. The first court hearing is scheduled for the end of January. Until a court decision is rendered, the question of the specific punishment remains open.
