Dombrovskis opens State Chancellery investigation

  • 2010-02-23
  • Oskars Magone

The director the State Chancellery will be at the center of the investigation (Photo courtesy of the state chancellery)

RIGA - Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has announced the creation of a special internal investigation commission to investigate possible wrongdoing in the State Chancellery.

The investigation will center around State Chancellery Director Gunta Veismane, who has been in the position for 10 years.

Veismane allegedly suggested that the State Security Police tap the phone of a journalist from national news agency LETA who wrote a story that included classified information obtained at a meeting of parliament’s European affairs committee. Committee Chairwoman Vaira Paeglesaid Veismane suggested the wiretap.

The commission that will be set up to look into the allegations will be led by Juta Strike, who is the current deputy director of national anti-corruption watchdog KNAB.

The commission will evaluate the facts published in the mass media concerning State Chancellery Director Veismane's plans to turn to the Security Police with a request to use investigative measures against journalists who had published information on these projects, LETA reported.

The investigative commission will have until March 22 to submit its results.