Latvia suspends VARAM secretary Balševics without pay

LSM reports that Edvīns Balševics, the suspended state secretary of the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, will no longer receive a salary, the ministry said.

Balševics had previously been suspended during a service investigation but continued to be paid.

On Monday, Minister Edgars Tavars of the United List issued an order suspending Balševics under the first paragraph of Article 39 of the State Civil Service Law. The provision allows an institution’s head to suspend an official and stop salary payments if criminal prosecution has been initiated against the official.

Criminal prosecution over alleged information disclosures

The Prosecutor’s Office has initiated criminal prosecution against Balševics over three alleged cases of disclosing restricted-access information. Charges have been filed in a case initiated by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau.

Evidence obtained by the bureau indicates that the official may have repeatedly disclosed restricted-access information in his possession to other people without a service-related need. Investigators believe he may have shared the information through a messaging application, including materials related to court proceedings, government projects and an inspection conducted by a law enforcement institution.

The bureau believes the alleged actions show signs of an offence under the Criminal Law: the disclosure of non-disclosable information by a public official responsible for safeguarding it. The offence carries a possible sentence of up to one year in prison, probation supervision, community service or a fine.

Balševics was previously suspended while a service investigation was conducted. The suspension was ordered by his predecessor, Raimonds Čudars of New Unity.