Latvia, Legislation

Normunds Vilnitis.

Dombrovskis emphasized that the government's decision was unanimous. The Cabinet has also become acquainted with Vilnitis' violations. The commission's conclusion was handed over for evaluation yesterday, and Prosecutor General Eriks Kalnmeiers informed the ministers about Vilnitis' violations during today's session as well, writes LETA.

The premier admitted that the commission's conclusion is currently classified, however, it will become available to the public after Saeima's assessment of Vilnitis' suitability for office. Dombrovskis also hinted that CPB employees have already complained about the most of Vilnitis' violations.

The Cabinet also urges Saeima to assess Vilnitis' suitability for office already during its session today, however, it will depend on the parliament's agenda.

Dombrovskis informed that Vilnitis' was previously invited to participate in today's meeting, however, the State Chancellery did not manage to contact him. The premier noted that several TV channels were much more successful in contacting Vilnitis, since CPB chief was even interviewed by one of them this morning.

Kalnmeiers, Constitutional Protection Bureau Chief Janis Kazocins, and Security Police Chief Janis Reiniks also took part in today's meeting.

“Today, at the extraordinary government sitting we considered the issue on removal of Mr Vilnītis, Head of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau from office. As we know, yesterday, the conclusion of the commission that was developed with a view to assess the compliance of Mr Vilnītis with his post was made public. The commission headed by Kalmeiers has unanimously approved that there have been serious violations in his activities and, respectively, recommends to remove Mr Vilnītis from office due to his non-compliance with the post.

Today, at the government sitting we listened to the report of the Prosecutor General. Several other members of the commission were also present. They informed about the progress of the commission’s work, about violations found and a recommendation to remove Mr Vilnītis from office. We considered this issue at the Cabinet of Ministers and according to the Law on Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau we have provided a recommendation to the Saeima, in form of a draft decision, to remove Mr Vilnītis from office. Also the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers was unanimous – not a single minister objected nor required voting.

We invited also Mr Vilnītis to participate in the sitting. Unfortunately, disregarding the fact that the State Chancellery used the usual procedure to inform the official on the necessity to attend the Cabinet sitting by phone and e-mail, there was no reaction from Mr Vilnītis. Thus, according to instruction on how senior officials are informed in emergency or other cases, we involved the State Fire and Rescue Service, which took the measures provided in the instruction to inform Mr Vilnītis about the invitation to attend the Cabinet sitting. The official of the State Fire and Rescue Service did not manage to pass this information to Mr Vilnītis neither by phone, nor arriving in person to his place of residence.”

As reported, during a press briefing yesterday, Kalnmeiers announced that the special investigative commission set up to assess Vilnitis' suitability for office has proposed his dismissal.

Overall, the commission came to the conclusion that Vilnitis systematically carried out various violations and did not work to prevent these violations.