Latvenergo heads released on bail

  • 2010-08-23
  • TBT Staff

The former Latvenergo head's release is a new landmark in the high-profile case. (photo: Latvenergo)

RIGA - Former "Latvenergo" President Karlis Mikelsons has been released from custody after posting 50,000 lats in bail.

Though he is no longer in detention, the Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) has ordered Mikelsons to remain in the country, and has forbidden him from meeting with other people involved in the case.

Former ''Latvenergo'' consultant Andrejs Livanovics was also released on 15,000 lats bail.

Mikelsons recently submitted a complaint against the Latvian state to the European Court of Human Rights claiming that the conditions of his arrest had been unlawful.

Five prominent businessmen connected with Latvia's national energy company, including Mikelsons and Livanovics, were taken into custody by the corruption watchdog on June 15. They are accused of bribery, abuse of office, and money laundering.

Latvenergo is one of Latvia's largest state run companies. It's core business revolves around the generation and sale of electricity and thermal energy. The subsidiaries of Latvenergo Group – Augstsprieguma tīkls AS and Sadales tīkls AS – provide electricity transmission and distribution services.