KNAB fines former EDzL interim chief 200 euros for holding dual posts

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau has fined former interim chairman of the state-owned European Railway Lines company, Māris Dzelme, 200 euros for combining incompatible positions, LSM reported.

Dzelme served as interim chairman of European Railway Lines, known as EDzL, from May 27, 2025, to February 26, 2026. Since November 2023, he has also been deputy chairman of the council of Latvijas mobilais telefons, or LMT.

According to the bureau’s decision, Dzelme combined a public official’s position with a prohibited position at a commercial company and received income from it.

His public official’s declaration for 2025 shows that he received 45,628 euros in salary from EDzL, 40,397 euros from RB Rail, a joint company of the Baltic states, and 36,000 euros as an LMT council member.

Before becoming EDzL’s interim chairman, Dzelme headed the company’s Security and Business Continuity Department. The Transport Ministry had previously reported that he had headed RB Rail’s Security Department since 2018.

EDzL is wholly owned by the Latvian state and has share capital of 4.445 million euros. The company is responsible for building Rail Baltica.

Telia Company and its subsidiary Sonera Holding own 49 percent of LMT. Tet and the state-owned Latvian State Radio and Television Centre each own 23 percent, while the state-owned Possessor owns 5 percent.

Telia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Latvia, Latvenergo and the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre on selling its shares in Tet and LMT. After Telia’s shares are bought out and a strategic investor is brought in, Latvenergo, the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre, Possessor and the strategic investor could each hold about 25 percent of the two companies.