Airport, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

As the Transport Ministry points out, if an investigation leads to evidence that Flick is guilty in the case against him, this would be enough of a basis to dismiss him from his post at the airline.

According to the CPB, there is a good possibility that Flick has committed a crime. However, no security measure has been imposed on the airline's president, which means that there is no legal basis to restrict his activities at airBaltic or dismiss him, writes LETA.

The Transport Ministry informs that if Flick is dismissed at this moment, there is a risk that the state would have to pay him large sums of money in compensation.

As reported, Flick's name has been mentioned in the recent "oligarch" case, with the CPB previously carrying out searches at airBaltic offices and Flick's home.

Flick's legal representatives previously informed that their client is not a defendant, nor a witness in the case.

LETA also reported, the CPB believes that current Saeima member Ainars Slesers (For A Good Latvia), before the 10th Saeima elections, asked airBaltic President Bertolt Flick to engage in illegal activity with the airline's or "Live Riga" finances in order to channel money to popularize Slesers and Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way in the media.

Slesers asked Flick to sign fictitious contracts with several mass media companies on advertising airBaltic services or promoting the image of Riga ("Live Riga"), however, the money was channeled to promote Slesers and Latvia's First Party/Latvia's Way.

The CPB believes that Flick abused his power and carried out Slesers' plot. Flick signed two fictitious agreements with companies owned by mass media owners, and transferred at least LVL 100,000 to them.

Slesers was previously named as one of Latvia's three so-called oligarchs by then President Valdis Zatlers.

As reported, the 2010 annual report of the national airline airBaltic in 2010 is still being harmonized with the auditors who have come up with several questions during the audit.

According to the law, the report was due August 1. The airline has informed the State Revenue Service about the delay.

Transport Ministry's State Secretary Anrijs Matiss explained that the report is delayed because the airline's board is harmonizing it with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the auditor of airBaltic operations in 2010. When confirmed, the report and the auditor's conclusions will be submitted to the airline's council for approval. The Transport Ministry is informed about the delay, and the airline's board is currently tackling this issue, admitted Matiss.

airBaltic council chairwoman Santa Glazniece declined to comment any information about the airline's report and contacts with its auditors. According to unofficial information obtained by "Diena", this past June Pricewaterhouse Coopers sent a letter to airBaltic council with several questions regarding the airline's audit.

The report is also delayed due to the fact that the airline's council has still not been appointed. The ministry will not accept the report without the council's conformation, emphasized Matiss.