Riga, March 12 (LETA) - Aivars Dundurs, a member of the board of Adazu Udens municipal water utility, has been dismissed from his position for alleged abuse of office, LETA learned.

Without naming the persons, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) informed LETA that on March 11 more than 20 searches were carried out in Pieriga and elsewhere in Latvia.

The criminal proceedings include investigating into possible abuse of office. The criminal proceedings were opened on February 12 and the five persons involved currently have the right to defense. A pre-trial investigation is underway, during which KNAB is gathering and consolidating evidence.

LETA was informed that the municipality has information that law enforcement authorities are carrying out investigative activities in Adazu Udens company, including with regard to a member of the company's board and the technical director. The circumstances of the investigation are not fully known to the municipality and no further information is available.

At an extraordinary meeting of the company's shareholders on March 12, it was decided to suspend Dundurs from his position.

In the absence of a decision by the law enforcement authorities concerning Dundurs, the suspension is not subject to a time limit.

In order to ensure the continued operation of the company and the provision of water supply services to the population, Juris Kruze has been appointed as an interim member of the board. The company will continue to operate as usual, and the municipality, as a shareholder of Adazu Udens, will follow the development of the situation and act in accordance with the legislation.

Adazu Udens was registered in 2007 with a share capital of EUR 11.6 million, according to Firmas.lv. In 2023, the company had a turnover of EUR 1.78 million and made a loss of EUR 166,665.

The sole member of the company's board is Dundurs, who was initially confirmed as chairman of the board until April 2027, according to Firmas.lv.