The Ministry of Justice awards compensation to journalist Leonids Jakobsons for damages, including non-material harm suffered in criminal proceedings

The Ministry of Justice has issued a decision to compensate journalist Leonids Jakobsons for damages and non-material harm suffered in criminal proceedings.

In 2011, a criminal case was opened against the journalist L. Jākobsons for publishing leaked electronic correspondence of the then Mayor of Riga Nils Ušakovs. This correspondence contained facts indicating that the official may have acted unlawfully. In 2023, the court fully acquitted the journalist. Following the acquittal, L. Jākobsons applied to the Ministry of Justice, claiming compensation for the losses and non-material harm suffered in the criminal proceedings, including in relation to restrictions to journalist’s personal freedom and freedom of expression.

Pro bono legal assistance in the administrative case for Mr Jākobson was provided by COBALT Senior Associate Linda Bīriņa and Associate Gabriela Šantare.