Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau

KNAB, officially known as the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, is Latvia’s specialised state authority tasked with preventing, detecting, and investigating corruption. Its core functions include monitoring political party financing, overseeing asset declarations of public officials, and supervising public procurement procedures for signs of illicit influence. The bureau also provides methodological guidance and training to state and municipal institutions on anti‑corruption measures. By maintaining a national registry of declarations and conducting risk‑based inspections, KNAB serves both governmental bodies and the broader public seeking transparency. Its services extend to businesses and citizens who can report suspected corrupt practices through secure channels. Operating across the entire territory of Latvia, the bureau addresses corruption risks in all sectors that receive state funding or exercise public authority.

KNAB distinguishes itself through its exclusive focus on corruption prevention and its statutory independence from the executive branch, reporting directly to the Latvian Parliament and the President. The bureau possesses notable competencies in forensic financial analysis, digital evidence handling, and cooperation with law‑enforcement agencies for criminal investigations. Its regulatory role includes issuing binding opinions on conflict‑of‑interest situations and proposing legislative amendments to strengthen the anti‑corruption framework. Structurally, KNAB is a state institution funded by the national budget and governed by a board appointed by the Parliament, which safeguards its operational autonomy. KNAB regularly publishes annual reports and corruption risk assessments that are accessible to the public, reinforcing transparency and accountability. Through its preventive department, the bureau conducts awareness campaigns targeting public officials, private sector representatives, and civil society to promote ethical standards. The organisation maintains a whistle‑blower protection unit that processes confidential tips and provides legal safeguards for informants. Its legal framework empowers KNAB to impose administrative sanctions, propose criminal prosecutions, and request the freezing of assets linked to corrupt schemes. The July 2022 DDoS attack on its electronic data entry systems, political party financing database, and mobile application highlighted the bureau’s reliance on secure ICT infrastructure and prompted coordinated response with Latvia’s national IT security incident team. Despite the disruption, authorities confirmed that no stored data were compromised, underscoring the effectiveness of existing protective measures while reinforcing the need for continual resilience enhancements.