The head of the Bank of Latvia was detained in the case of extortion of bribes

Employees of the Bureau for Combating and Preventing Corruption (BPBC) detained the head of the Central Bank of Latvia, Ilmar Rimsevics, as part of a criminal investigation. It is reported by Delfi with reference to the Prime Minister of the Republic Maris Kuchinskis.

“Now neither I nor other officials have any reason to interfere in the work of the BPBC. The agency acts professionally and accurately. As soon as the leadership of the BPBC deems it necessary to provide the public with information about the progress of the investigation, this will be done immediately,” he said.

Kuchinskis added that he, together with Finance Minister Dana Reizniece-Ozola and the government, ensures that the Bank of Latvia fully and efficiently fulfills all its obligations. He stressed that there are no signs that indicate a threat to the country's financial system.

On February 19, an emergency meeting of the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers will be convened to analyze the situation.

According to Diena, the head of the Central Bank was detained as part of an investigation into extortion of a bribe by an official. Investigators suspect that Rimsevich, as part of a criminal group, extorted money from credit organizations, using his position and influence in political circles.

On February 16, Rimshevich's home and office were searched by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Rimsevics himself was not in Latvia at that moment.