LONDON (AP) — The Latest on the bribery investigation on the Latvian central bank chief (all times local):
6:05 p.m.
Latvian state TV reports that the country’s central bank chief has been released from detention on bail pending an investigation into suspected bribery.
The channel showed Ilmars Rimsevics speaking to reporters Monday evening and saying that he “rejects everything” that has been alleged about him. An Associated Press investigation found that a Latvian bank is accusing Rimsevics of seeking bribes for years, abusing his power and being connected to individuals involved in money laundering from Russia.
Rimsevics was detained on Saturday evening after questioned by Latvia’s anti-corruption authorities.
The state TV quoted Rimsevics’ lawyer, Saulvedis Varpins, as saying that more information on the case will be provided Tuesday.
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4:20 p.m.
Executives at Latvian bank Norvik say the nation’s central bank chief, who was detained Saturday without charges, sought to extort money from their firm for years.
Latvia Central bank chief Ilmars Rimsevics faces a criminal investigation for bribery but is not charged so far.
Norvik has filed an international complaint against Latvia in which it claims a “Senior Latvian Official” sought bribes from the bank and abused his power. Norvik’s CEO, Oliver Bramwell, told The Associated Press: “The high-level official mentioned in our request for arbitration is Rimsevics.”
Norvik’s chairman, Grigory Guselnikov, also told the AP how individuals connected to Rimsevics had asked his bank to launder money from Russia.
Rimsevics is also on the highest policymaking council of the European Central Bank, which sets monetary policy for the 19 euro countries.
