Health Minister fined €210 for conflict of interest

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The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has fined Health Minister Guntis Belēvičs €210 for a conflict of interest in ruling a disciplinary case against the former State Medicines Agency head Inguna Adoviča, reported BNS Thursday.

The fine can be appealed for 10 days. Belēvičs confirmed that KNAB has fined him for ruling on the disciplinary case against Adoviča and that he will appeal.

According to the administrative code a violation of this type could bring a monetary fine from €70 to €350, with the possible revocation of holding state office.

KNAB previously explained that the board members of the pharmacy chain Saules aptieka are Belēvičs’ relatives, and his son is also 50% owner and board chairman of the SIA Baltacon. In issuing orders to investigate and apply disciplinary acts against the Medicines Agency head, the Health Minister acted in a way that directly benefited the firms in question, which had submitted complaints against the civil servant.

Belēvičs himself sees no conflict of interest in the situation. 

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