Jakovins fined for violations in issuing sick-leave certificates

Latvian MP and family doctor Juris Jakovins has been fined for breaching rules on issuing and cancelling sick-leave certificates, LSM reported. Jakovins was previously convicted in a separate case involving a forged medical note.

The Saeima’s Mandates, Ethics and Submissions Committee reported on Thursday that Jakovins was among the MPs held administratively liable between April and August. The fine also covered violations involving medical opinions or healthcare, the report said.

A Riga City Court found Jakovins guilty of issuing a forged doctor’s note for a lawyer who used it to avoid attending a civil case hearing. According to the prosecution, lawyer Edgars Atlacis prompted Jakovins to produce the document, and lawyer Agnese Kauce submitted it to the court.

Jakovins and the two lawyers, who work in Valmiera, were convicted by a first-instance court last spring. Jakovins has appealed the ruling and is due to appear before an appeals court next spring.