On 1st October the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) conveyed the meeting of its Foreign Advisory Panel. The meeting was organised following large interest expressed by representatives of various embassies represented in Riga on recent events related to suspension of the Director of KNAB.
On 24th September the Prime Minister issued a written decision on suspension of the Director of KNAB Mr. Aleksejs Loskutovs from duties based on the conclusions of an audit conducted by the State Audit Office of Latvia on 7 June 2007. The Prime Minister claims that conclusions of this audit revealed important book keeping violations in KNAB. Several commissions were set up in order to investigate these allegations, including disciplinary commission which should provide results on 23 October and another commission headed by the Prosecutor General should release its results on 15 October.
Up till FAP meeting KNAB had not received the said report from the State Audit Office to which the Prime Minister refers to. According to the Section 55 of the Law on State Audit an audit shall be closed by the taking of a decision by an audit department regarding the approval of the audit report. Such decision shall be sent to the audited entity. The decision shall come into effect 15 days after the day of the taking thereof if it is not disputed in the Council of the State Audit Office. Bearing in mind that KNAB has not received the final decision and audit report, hence KNAB was not able to acquaint itself with the said documents and to appeal against the final decision by submitting a complaint regarding this as it is provided in the above mentioned law.
During the meeting Acting Director Mr. Alvis Vilks and Deputy Director Mrs. Juta Strīķe briefly informed participants on results of the KNAB activities in light of the Bureau's 5th
Anniversary on 10th of October this year, as well as on respective aspects of KNAB activities related to suspension of the Director of KNAB.
Mr. Aleksejs Loskutovs also participated at the meeting and answered many questions addressed to him by foreign representatives. These questions mostly related to his suspension and its possible link to the results of the KNAB's work in the field of corruption prevention and combating.
More than 20 representatives of different embassies and international organisations attended the FAP meeting. The representatives of foreign countries participating to the FAP congratulated KNAB for its efforts in preventing and combating corruption in Latvia and expressed their gratitude for conveying this meeting. For example, the representative of the Embassy of the United States informed that Washington is watching events closely and fully support the KNAB's work to build a more transparent judicial system based on the Rule of Law and one that dispenses justice without political interference.
The FAP was created shortly after establishing KNAB. It brings together representatives of foreign countries and international organisations, as well as of foreign investors in Latvia. The FAP is meeting about 2 times a year. The aim of FAP is to inform about activities of KNAB and explore opportunities for cooperation and assistance.