RIGA, March 23 (LETA) - The Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry's State Secretary Edvins Balsevics has been suspended from his job, the ministry informed LETA.

Sabine Spurke, advisor to Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister Raimonds Cudars (New Unity), told LETA that Balsevics was suspended "in view of public interest following media reports about his possible involvement in illegal disclosure of limited-access information regarding IT procurement."

"During the investigation, it is important to ensure that all those involved in violations are brought to justice. The Smart Administration and Regional Development Ministry and the State Digital Development Agency are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities. To date, the authorities have approached several officials of the ministry and the agency as part of the criminal proceedings," said Cudars.

The ministry explains that the head of an institution may suspend an official from his/her job temporarily, but for no longer than one month, suspending the payment of the official's salary from the date of suspension, if this is necessary to protect public interest, security or health.

In the event of unjustified suspension, the official is compensated for the entire period of suspension.

Balsevics, in turn, believes that the decision to suspend him is a precautionary step aimed at eliminating any possible doubts and reputational risks, as well as ensuring an objective assessment of the situation.

Balsevics told LETA that he was interested in a full and transparent clarification of the circumstances.

As reported, the Corruption Prevention Bureau is investigating a case of disclosure of non-disclosable information involving Balsevics, an official from the State Digital Development Agency, and a businessman.

In the meantime, the State Police, in a criminal case launched by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), last week detained 21 persons, including state officials, over EUR 1.5 million IT procurement fraud.

Last week, police officers carried out a number of searches and seized a substantial amount of evidence in the criminal proceedings initiated by the EPPO, and dismantled an organized crime group involving public officials suspected of wrongdoing in public procurement procedures for the acquisition of IT systems by state institutions. During searches in Riga and Riga Region yesterday, the police and other law enforcement authorities detained 21 persons, including public officials.