Latvia Central Bank governor detained by anti-graft agency

By Euronews

Published on 18/02/2018 - 21:38

There are calls for Ilmars Rimsevics to temporarily step down from his post while an inquiry takes place.

The Governor of Latvia’s Central Bank has been detained by the country’s anti-corruption agency, prompting calls for him to temporarily step down. Latvia’s finance minister has urged Ilmars Rimsevics to relinquish his post while an investigation takes place.

No explanation has been given for his detention. Rimsevics is also a member of the European Central Bank’s governing council. There are fears his arrest could harm Latvia’s economy, which recovered last year after losing more than a fifth of its output during the global financial crisis.