Jānis Roze Chosen as Candidate for Head of Latvia's KNAB

The selection committee for the post of chief of Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), the country's anti-corruption agency, has decided to recommend deputy chief for operational activities Jānis Roze to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs. The State Chancellery confirmed this to the news agency LETA. The candidacy must be approved at a government meeting, after which the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, must appoint him.

The competition was launched after the previous KNAB chief, Jēkabs Straume, unexpectedly retired on a long-service pension in early August, before the end of his term and without explanation. Straume first took the post in June 2017 and was reappointed in 2022 for another five-year term. Deputy chief Ineta Cīrule is currently acting head; she did not apply in the competition.

Who Jānis Roze is

According to LETA's archive, Roze became head of KNAB's Internal Security Division in 2014. The post was offered to him by the then KNAB chief, Jaroslavs Streļčenoks. In summer 2016 he was moved to the position of Streļčenoks's deputy for combating corruption. Before joining KNAB, Roze worked at the Security Police, part of the State Security Service.

Course of the competition

Renārs Reiniks, head of KNAB's Operational Activities Department, did not advance to the second round. He began working at KNAB around 2006 and previously served in the State Police. Neither official told LETA how his further participation in the competition had progressed.

In the first round, the committee reviewed submitted documents and whether candidates met mandatory requirements. In the second round it will assess qualifications, experience and knowledge in greater depth, and hear candidates' views on KNAB's priorities, development and improving anti-corruption measures. At the end, the top-rated candidate will be put forward to the Cabinet of Ministers.

The KNAB chief is appointed by the Saeima for five years on the Cabinet's recommendation. By law, the selection committee is chaired by the director of the State Chancellery and includes the Prosecutor General, the director of the Constitution Protection Bureau and the head of the State Security Service. Up to three authorised representatives of the Public Advisory Council may take part in an advisory capacity.