Latvia anticorruption agency detains central bank governor
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 February 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Latvia anticorruption agency detains central bank governor, 18 February 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a9fc7c1a.html [accessed 30 October 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 18, 2018 21:45 GMT
RFE/RL
The governor of Latvia's Central Bank Ilmars Rimsevics (file photo)
The Latvian prime minister's office says the country's anticorruption agency has detained the central bank's governor, Ilmars Rimsevics.
Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis's office made the announcement in a statement on February 18 following reports saying that the office and a property of Rimsevics were searched.
Latvia's state broadcaster LTV reported that the national anticorruption agency, called KNAB, raided Rimsevics's office and property on February 16 and aired footage that appeared to show him arriving at the agency's offices.
In its statement, Kucinskis's office did not provide details about the case, but insisted that "there are no signs of a threat to the Latvian financial system."
It said an extraordinary cabinet meeting would be convened on February 19 to "analyze the situation."
In a message on Twitter, Latvia's presidency said there would be a meeting of the National Security Council next week to discuss the banking sector.
The KNAB, the Bank of Latvia, and the European Central Bank declined to comment on Kucinskis's detention.
Latvia is a member of the European Union and uses the euro as its currency.
With reporting by Reuters and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
