Government strictly dissociates itself from cooperation with sanctioned persons - Silina

RIGA - The government is strictly distances itself from cooperation with sanctioned persons, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) said, commenting on whether Aivars Lembergs, the leader of the For Latvia and Ventspils party, which is one of the parties which makes up the Union of Greens and Farmers, is involved in coalition decision-making.

Elina Lidere, advisor to the Prime Minister on strategic communication issues, stressed to LETA that the government cooperation agreement stipulates non-cooperation with such persons, providing for a minister's resignation if such a case is detected.

The For Latvia and Ventspils party and its chairman Lembergs have been long-standing cooperation partners of the Union of Greens and Farmers, including running on the same list in Saeima elections. In the past, Lembergs was actively involved in coalition party negotiations and decision-making.

As reported, the UK on Thursday imposed sanctions on eight persons, nationals of various countries accused by authorities of large-scale international corruption, including former Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs and his daughter Liga.

According to a statement released by the British government, Lembergs is or has been involved in serious corruption. The statement alleges that while serving as Ventspils mayor, Lembergs was responsible for serious corruption or was involved in serious corruption in the form of bribery and embezzlement.

According to the British government, Lembergs' daughter Liga aided and abetted serious corruption, as well as benefited financially or in any other way from serious corruption. In particular, Liga Lemberga has been involved in her father Aivars Lembergs' bribery and embezzlement activities.

The sanctions imposed on Lembergs and his daughter include an asset freeze and a travel ban.

The latest UK sanctions also target Ukrainian businessman Dmitry Firtash and his wife Lada Firtash, as well as billionaire Isabel dos Santos, a dual Angolan and Russian national.

The British Foreign Office described Firtash, Lembergs and Santos as "three infamous kleptocrats" and accused them of "stealing their countries' wealth for personal gain".