Riga Digital Agency Director Arnis Gulbis Dismissed

In an emergency session on Thursday, June 19, the Riga City Council decided to dismiss Arnis Gulbis, director of the Riga Digital Agency. Gulbis submitted a resignation, and both parties agreed to terminate the employment relationship.

Deputies from the alliance "Sovereign Power and Association 'Jaunlatvieši'" (SV/AJ) expressed dissatisfaction with the move. Jūlija Stepaņenko noted that although a specific violation was identified, no punishment was imposed. In her view, this sends a signal to the public that misconduct can be covered up. She proposed suspending the session to await the outcome of the disciplinary case before making a dismissal decision. She also warned that Gulbis might reappear in a ministry in a few months.

Earlier, SV/AJ had approached the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) with a whistleblower report, which allegedly mentioned not only car charging at the workplace but also self-awarding of bonuses, payment of additional allowances, and hiring employees with unclear contributions. KNAB has launched checks on certain facts.

The municipality had initiated a disciplinary case against Gulbis for using municipal electricity to charge his personal car. This case will now be closed as Gulbis leaves the job. Gulbis admitted to charging his electric car and paid a fine of 170 euros. He stated that he wrote his resignation because he does not wish to continue working in such an environment.