The Minister for Smart Governance and Regional Development Raimonds Čudars has dismissed the chairman of the Rezekne council, Alexander Bartashevich, who did not obtain a special permit for access to state secrets, reports LETA.
As reported to the LETA agency by the minister's advisor Sabine Spurke, the decision was made because Bartashevich was not issued a special permit for access to state secrets.
The chairman of the council is considered suspended from the performance of official duties from the date of publication of the order in the official publication "Latvijas Vēstnesis."
As previously reported, last week the minister demanded the resignation of the mayor of Rezekne due to the fact that he did not obtain access to state secrets; however, Bartashevich continued to lead the council.
Since he refused to resign, he was required to submit written explanations to the minister within five working days. This deadline expires today.
After it became known that the mayor of Rezekne was not granted access, he did not respond to calls from the LETA agency.
Last Thursday, at a council meeting, Bartashevich also did not explain why he was not resigning. When asked to clarify, he stated only that this question was not on the agenda, so he would not respond. "I have the right to conduct the council meeting," Bartashevich said.
At the same time, he stated on social media that he is "not going anywhere."
The law provides seven grounds on which a person may be denied access to state secrets. In particular, access is not granted if the person's legal capacity is restricted in accordance with the law. It is also denied to those who were previously employees or agents of the USSR special services or a country that is not a member of NATO and the EU.
Access to state secrets is also prohibited if facts are revealed during the verification process that raise doubts about the reliability and ability to keep state secrets, as well as to individuals with mental and behavioral disorders, including disorders caused by the use of alcohol or drugs.
It was also reported that Bartashevich is a defendant in a criminal case for disclosing restricted access information, as well as for intentionally failing to declare information about real estate acquired abroad and other significant income in his declarations as a public servant for 16 years. The case is expected to continue in the Vidzeme District Court in Gulbene in March.
