Energy, Latvia, Legislation

Karlis Mikelsons.

Mikelsons would like simply to meet with the people whom he worked with for ten years; however, that is currently prohibited by the security measures placed on the former official by the court, writes LETA.

The former Latvenergo chief refuted the accusations made against him. "In what way could I and my deputy Aigars Melko have made decisions in favor of Alstom and GAMA? That is impossible, as such decisions are taken by a large group of people, including representatives of the government."

Explaining his connections with business consultant Andrejs Livanovics, who was also arrested, Mikelsons indicated that he had sold land in 2007 to a company represented by Livanovics.

The two businessmen were also involved in several joint projects. "There are few people working in the energy sector in Latvia, and even fewer professionals. I know almost all of them, and I am somehow connected with all of them," explained the former head of Latvenergo.

He denied that Livanovics had been involved in the tenders which had been won by Alstom and GAMA, indicating that Latvenergo had come to an agreement with the Swiss Colenco, not the company's Latvian branch, which is registered at Livanovics' home in Marupe. Livanovics also did not take part in talks between Latvenergo and "Colenco", according to Mikelsons.

The former company director indicated that Livanovics had visited Latvenergo in connection with various projects, but that this had in no way been connected with GAMA or Alstom.