Fiches Belges: Lotwa

Is this measure possible in your Member State under International Judicial Cooperation?

Investigatory detective work is investigatory measure that is performed in public places directly (in person) by an official of the authority performing investigatory operations in order to determine, by observation and tacking, facts, things and persons related to criminal activity, to prevent or uncover criminal offences, threats to interests of importance to the state, state security and defence and to search for criminals and missing persons. In carrying out the tasks of the investigatory process, officials of the body performing investigatory operations are entitled with the approval of a prosecutor to perform investigatory detective work by becoming involved in a criminal environment (directly or under false identity), establishing contacts with persons set out in the investigative record and persons associated with them. Such activity and the identity of the officials is a secret.

International legal framework applicable for this measure in your Member State

onvention on Mutual Assistance of the European Union Member States in Criminal Matters, adopted by the Council on 29 May 2000 in accordance with Article 34 of the Treaty on the European Union;Convention Nr.30 on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters adopted by the Council of Europe on 20 April 1959.

* receive the request/decision for judicial cooperation

the Ministry of Interior (*) - during pre-trial investigation until prosecution ; Ciekurkalna 1st line 1, k-2 Riga, LV-1026 Latvia Phone: +371 67219263 Fax: +371 67829686 E-mail: kanceleja@iem.gov.lv Website : www.iem.gov.lv General Prosecutors office - during pre-trial investigation until submitting the case to the court; O. Kalpaka blvd 6, Riga, LV - 1801, Latvia Fax: 371.67.212231 Tel.: 371.67.320085 The Ministry of Justice - during the trial. Brivibas blvd 36, Riga, LV - 1536, Latvia Fax: 371.67.285575 Tel.: 371.67.280437/371.67.282607

* execute/recognise the measure (if other than the receiving authority)

Prosecutor's approval is required

Accepted languages for the request/decision

Latvian/English (for the execution of urgent request/decision the priority is the Latvian language)

Deadlines for the execution of the request/decision (where applicable)

no time limit

a. Special requirements

N/A

b. Other useful information

Investigatory detective work may be performed either opernly or concealing affiliation with the authority performing investigatory operations; in the course of such, with the permission of the head of the authority performing the investigatory operations, contact may be established with persons eliciting the investigatory interest.