Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and ex-Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans as well as large number of hockey fans criticize the State Language Centre for its claims towards the head coach of Latvian national hockey team Olegs Znaroks
• State Language Centre has punished a sports coach in Rezekne for insufficient state language proficiency
• Supreme Court has sentenced to real imprisonment three persons charged for bribery in the Naturalisation Board
• Most popular parties in Latvia in April: Concord Centre, Union of Greens and Farmers, Peoples party

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and ex-Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans as well as large number of hockey fans criticize the State Language Centre (SLC) for its claims towards the head coach of Latvian national hockey team Olegs Znaroks. As reported, the SLC has invited Olegd Znaroks to an interview with language inspectors to prove his state language proficiency. Olegs Znaroks’ supporters argue that the coach is not obligated to know Latvian language because he has German citizenship and therefore on public events it is enough to provide him interpreter.

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers and ex-Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans as well as large number of hockey fans criticize the State Language Centre (SLC) for its claims towards the head coach of Latvian national hockey team Olegs Znaroks. As reported, the SLC has invited Olegd Znaroks to an interview with language inspectors to prove his state language proficiency. Olegs Znaroks supporters argue that the coach is not obligated to know Latvian language because he has German citizenship and therefore on public events it is enough to provide him interpreter. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA

Inspector of the State Language Centre has punished a sports coach in Rezekne (town in the Eastern part of Latvia) for insufficient state language proficiency.

Inspector of the State Language Centre has punished a sports coach in Rezekne (town in the Eastern part of Latvia) for insufficient state language proficiency. NRA, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Supreme Court has sentenced to real imprisonment three persons charged for bribery in the Naturalisation Board. In 2005, the Riga Regional Court charged with suspended sentences and pecuniary penalties 10 persons including staff members of the Valmiera’a Branch of Naturalisation Board, who received bribes for helping out with naturalisation texts, persons who gave bribes, and persons who falsified documents. The Prosecutor’s Office has appealed the ruling asking to charge some of the accused persons with real imprisonment.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court has sentenced to real imprisonment three persons charged for bribery in the Naturalisation Board. In 2005, the Riga Regional Court charged with suspended sentences and pecuniary penalties 10 persons including staff members of the Valmieraa Branch of Naturalisation Board, who received bribes for helping out with naturalisation texts, persons who gave bribes, and persons who falsified documents. The Prosecutors Office has appealed the ruling asking to charge some of the accused persons with real imprisonment. Latvijas Avize

According to the latest public opinion survey held by the market and social research company “Latvijas fakti”, the Concord Centre is the most popular party in Latvia – 11.8% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeima’s elections were held in April. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 7,7% of citizens, the People’s party by 6,6%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 25,7 % of respondents are not decided whom to vote for yet, while 21,3% respondents would not participate the elections.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by the market and social research company Latvijas fakti, the Concord Centre is the most popular party in Latvia – 11.8% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeimas elections were held in April. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 7,7%of citizens, the Peoples party by 6,6%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 25,7 % of respondents are not decided whom to vote for yet, while 21,3% respondents would not participate the elections. Diena