Corruption, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Medicine

According to his PR aide, Iveta Ciganova, Belevics issued a decree today, releasing Arturs Belevics from his seat on the Council.

The portal "pietiek.com" blew the whistle on the conflict of interest Sunday. The Council had confirmed his son as a member back on March 18, as a representative of the Latvian Pharmacists' Association.

Belevics rejects the notion that he is in conflict of interest, explaining that the Consultative Council has "merely that – a consulting function, with no decision-making."

Ciganova also explained that Arturs Belevics was appointed chairman of the Latvian Pharmacists' Association at the beginning of the year, and that in previous years, Guntis Belevics himself sat on the Council from the Association.

According to Firmas.lv, the Association's legal address is exactly the same as the pharmacy chain Saules aptiekas address; the chain owned by Arturs Belevics. Also with the identical legal address is Baltacon Ltd. – with 50% of shares owned by Arturs Belevics.

Obviously, Minister Belevics will have to tread lightly in the future when coming in direct or indirect contact with persons connected to his ex-business and livelihood – the pharmacy industry.

In this regard, Belevics previously came under fire from the corruption office for making the decision on launching disciplinary action against State Drug Agency Director Inguna Adovica.