Latvian Central Bank Chief Arrest by Anti-Corruption Police

The head of Latvia’s central bank, Ilmars Rimsevics, has been detained by the country’s anti-corruption agency.

His home and offices at the Bank of Latvia were both raided by officers.

The country’s Corruption Prevention Bureau gave no details about its investigation, or the nature of the raids.

Latvia’s Prime Minister, Maris Kucinskis, has called an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday – but added there was no apparent national threat.

“There are no signs that there is any threat to the Latvian financial system,” he said in a statement.

He said neither he, as prime minister, nor any other officials had any reason to interfere with the anti-corruption agency’s work.

“The institution works professionally and accurately,” he said, pledging the government’s full support and saying there would be no outside influence.

The Bank of Latvia said it could not comment on the investigation, but said it had a “zero tolerance policy in respect of corruption and other illicit activities”.