Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs has been dismissed from his office over alleged corruption in the municipal public transportation company Rigas Satiksme, Latvia’s Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development Juris Puce said in a government paper released on April, 5.
According to Puce, Usakovs violated various laws and regulations. He is faulted for improper spending of funds and non-fulfilment of duties when supervising the Rigas Satiksme procurement procedures, dw.de reports. The investigation into the case of alleged corruption schemes in the municipal transportation company was launched in 2018. Several Rigas Satiksme top staffers were arrested, five members of the board resigned. Earlier, Vice Mayor Andris Ameriks stepped down as well.
On January 30, Latvia’s Corruption Prevention Bureau carried out searches at the office and home of Nils Usakovs who denied all accusations against him and declared no intention to leave the post. “My conscience is clear,” he said.
The parliamentary opposition initiated a no-confidence vote to Usakovs, but they failed to gain the required number of votes.
Nils Usakovs had served as Riga Mayor since 2009. He is also Chairman of the Social Democratic Party Harmony, which defends the interests of the Russian-speaking population of Latvia and pushes for closer ties with Russia.
The dismissal can be appealed at the Administrative District Court within 30 days, and Mr Usakovs has expressed readiness to do so.
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