Saeima sacks Vilnitis

RIGA -- Saeima (Latvian parliament) has sacked KNAB head Normunds Vilnitis, who had drawn heavy fire in recent months over his handling of the anti-corruption bureau.

Vilnitis was ousted by 82 votes in the 100 seat Saeima, which is grasping for ways to restore popularity ahead of a July 23 vote on the dissolution of parliament.

The vote came shortly after a special investigative committee headed by Prosecutor General Eriks Kalnmeiers submitted a report recommending that Vilnitis be removed from his post. The report cited nearly a dozen violations committed by the KNAB head.

Vilnitis had been regularly criticized by the Latvian branch of Transparency International and by his own subordinates as an ineffectual leader who was failing to reign in corruption in the country.

It will now be up to Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis to choose a new candidate for the post. Dombrovskis previously said that he would search for someone with a good reputation.