Bank of Latvia Bank of Latvia The Bank of Latvia () is the central bank of Latvia. It is one of the key public institutions and carries out economic functions as prescribed by law. It was established in 1922. The principal objective of the Bank of Latvia is to regulate currency in circulation by implementing monetary policy to maintain price stability in Latvia. Until 31 December 2013, the bank was responsible for issuing the former Latvian currency, the Lats. The Bank of Latvia administration is located in Riga. The fiscal year for the bank begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December.
Capital punishment in Latvia Capital punishment in Latvia Capital punishment in Latvia was abolished for ordinary crimes in 1999 and for crimes committed during wartime in 2012. Latvia is party to several international instruments which ban the capital punishment. Latvia regained independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Subsequently, the death penalty in civilian cases was reserved for murder and the only method of execution, as during Soviet times, was shooting with a single bullet to the back of the head. The last executions took place in January 1996. In October 1996, President Guntis Ulmanis claimed that he would commute any