KNAB wiretaps Citskovskis' phone calls: even Karosta Canal bridge hasn't divided this much

Former State Chancellery director Jānis Citskovskis has revealed that KNAB has been wiretapping his phone calls for several months, including private conversations with family members. "The feeling was disgusting," says Citskovskis, and honestly speaking, here in Liepāja we understand - we also find it disgusting when someone listens to our conversations about whether tomorrow will be good beach weather.

Citskovskis accuses KNAB of "pettiness" when investigating cases involving high-ranking officials. A local in Karosta comments: "Well, petty or not, at least they're listening. Here even the Karosta Canal bridge divides our city more and creates more drama than some phone call scandal in Riga!"

What's most surprising is that this whole affair will be about just one person - Citskovskis himself. While Riga is preparing a grandiose court process with one defendant, in Liepāja there would be a line stretching to Grobiņa for the same kind of money-spending scandals. But we're modest - a simple discussion by the Fish Market is enough for us.

Citskovskis promises to publish his materials during the court process and point out investigative injustices. It will be interesting to see whether these materials will be as captivating as local discussions about whether the new bridge over the canal was really necessary, or if we could have managed with a ferry.