KNAB seeks prosecution of VARAM secretary Balševics over disclosures

Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau has asked prosecutors to begin criminal proceedings against Edvīns Balševics, the former state secretary of the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, over three alleged disclosures of restricted-access information, LSM reported.

KNAB said it launched a criminal investigation this spring into the disclosure of confidential information related to information technology procurements. Latvian Television reported that Balševics was among those involved in the case.

After the reports, the minister responsible for the sector at the time suspended Balševics from his post. He was not dismissed, and the ministry’s website still lists him as its state secretary.

Evidence gathered during the pretrial investigation indicates that the official may have repeatedly disclosed restricted-access information in his possession to other people without an official need to do so.

Investigators believe that, using a communications application, the official may have shared materials related to court proceedings, state administration projects and an inspection carried out by a law enforcement institution.

KNAB said the alleged conduct shows signs of an offence under Article 329 of Latvia’s Criminal Law, concerning the disclosure of confidential information by a state official responsible for safeguarding it.

On September 2, KNAB sent the case materials to the Prosecutor’s Office for Investigating Service-Related Crimes in State Institutions. The prosecution will decide how the criminal proceedings continue.

Context

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened a case into possible fraud involving IT procurements worth more than 1.5 million euros. Twenty-one people, including state officials, were detained. Former State Digital Development Agency director Jorens Liopa, Corporate Solutions group owner and manager Aigars Ceruss, and public procurement specialist Ainārs Bīders were remanded in custody. Ceruss was released on April 1.