 | PRINT! | CLOSE! |
Pressure builds on Loskutovs RIGA-- Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis slammed the work of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) on June 10, despite advice from Prosecutor General Janis Maizitis instructing politicians to keep quiet about the matter. Speaking to the press after a government meeting which decided to establish a commission to investigate missing money within KNAB, the premier said: "It is not just about co-responsibility, but also about the organization of work. The documents are here and the audit shows that the organization of work, distribution of duties and decision making is at the lowest level." Godmanis cited the facts that employees of KNAB must have the personal approval of KNAB director Aleksejs Loskutovs, that the bureau's decisions are not published internally, and that there is no separate auditing department. "There is no system," claimed Godmanis. He also said that the only audit had been carried out in 2003 and it had been signed by KNAB deputy head Juta Strike. "Where are other years?" asked the prime minister. Asked about liquidation of KNAB, Godmanis said that the bureau should continue its work, but Loskutovs' duties should be taken over by his deputy Alvis Vilks as an interim measure. Two KNAB employees are being held over charges that they stole around 135,500 lats (EUR 193,000) over the course of several years. Charges have been brought against Indra Veipa, head of the KNAB department tasked with ensuring confidentiality, and Janis Imsa, a chief specialist. The commission formed to probe the affair will make its decision by June 16, said Prosecutor General Janis Maizitis. The commission is headed by the prosecutor general, plus the Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) head, the Security Police head, the parliament national security committee chairman and Defense Minister Vinets Veldre. Maizitis told the press that the commission will assess whether Loskutovs can be held responsible for a lack of oversight and may be subject to disciplinary offences as a result. Loskutovs is not suspected of any involvement in the crime, but clearly it is hugely embarrassing if the nation’s main anti-corruption body is shown to have had serious corruption problems of its own extending over a period of years. As a result, Loskutovs’ position looks increasingly untenable, though so far he has consistently refused to consider handing in his resignation. The great irony of the whole episode is that Loskutovs’ own officers may end up doing exactly what the government of Aigars Kalvitis failed to do a year ago and cost him his job. |
|