RIGA, Dec 22 (LETA) - The Corruption Prevention and Combating BUreau (KNAB) has not found signs of bribery and has ended criminal procedures against MPs Viktors Valainis (Greens/Farmers) and Ralfs Nemiro (Independent), LETA learned from KNAB.

KNAB reported that it had received an application from a councilor of Dobele local council, stating that on September 9, a group of Saeima lawmakers offered him the position of the chairman of Dobele local council as a bribe in exchange for organizing a no-confidence vote in then council chairman.

Pietiek.com whistle blowing portal reported earlier that Dobele municipal lawmaker Maris Feldmanis (KPV LV) had been offered the position of a council chairman during a meeting in the officers of the Union of Greens and Farmers at the parliament.

After the meeting, then Dobele local chairman Edgar Gaigalis (National Alliance) was ousted and Ivars Gorskis (Latvia's Greens Union) was elected the council chairman, while Feldmanis got the position of the deputy chairman, even though he stepped down soon after.

KNAB started a criminal procedure, and concluded after the investigation that the offer of a political position during negotiations qualifies as a part of the process, forming a new coalition, and not as a personal benefit.

Valainis and Nemiro in the case were assigned the statuses of persons against whom a criminal procedure had been launched.