RIGA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Eight arrests have been made and over 30 searches conducted this week in Latvia and Poland as part of a sweeping probe launched by Latvian anti-corruption operatives into procurement deals organized by Rigas Satiksme, the municipal transport company of the Latvian capital, public media reported Wednesday.

Representatives of the Corruption Prevention Bureau informed that the case has been investigated since November in close cooperation with foreign colleagues, including Poland's anti-corruption service, and that eight arrests -- six in Latvia and two in Poland -- were made on Tuesday, as part of the probe.

The anti-corruption agency declined to elaborate on the case as the investigation was still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Latvian public radio and television reported that the persons detained included businessman Maris Martinsons, who earlier this year was briefly arrested along with Bank of Latvia Governor Ilmars Rimsevics, and Igors Volkinsteins, head of the Rigas Satiksme infrastructure department.

Rigas Satiksme spokesman Viktors Zakis confirmed Volkinsteins' detention but could not comment on the reasons.

Volkinsteins has been heading the Rigas Satiksme infrastructure department for the last nine years. He also heads the municipal transport company's procurement commission, which three years ago drew criticism for a tender in which a 60 million-euro contract was awarded to the most expensive fuel supplier. Enditem

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