Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre) with amending laws of:
10 August 1995 [shall come
into force on 29 August 1995];
7 November 1996 [shall come into force on 5 December
1996];
6 May 1998 [shall come into force on 3 June 1998];
10 June 1999 [shall come into force on 14 July
1999];
20 June 2000 [shall come into force on 21 July
2000];
6 December 2001 [shall come into force on 3 January
2002];
27 June 2002 [shall come into force on 24 July
2002];
7 April 2004 [shall come into force on 4 May 2004];
2 June 2005 [shall come into force on 6 July 2005];
13 October 2005 [shall come into force on 16 November
2005];
15 June 2006 [shall come into force on 11 July
2006];
8 January 2007 [shall come into force on 10 January
2007];
1 March 2007 [shall come into force 3 August 2007];
29 March 2007 [shall come into force on 11 April
2007];
20 November 2008 [shall come into force 1 January
2009];
12 December 2008 [shall come into force on 1 January
2009];
18 June 2009 [shall come into force on 3 July
2009];
29 October 2009 [shall come into force on 1 December
2009];
1 December 2009 [shall come into force on 1 January
2010];
10 December 2009 [shall come into force on 13 January
2010];
4 October 2018 [shall come into force on 1 January
2019].
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the
date of the amending law appears in square brackets at
the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or
clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears
in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph
or clause.
|
The Saeima1 has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:
On State
Security Institutions
Chapter
One
General
Provisions
Section 1. The Purpose and Scope of
the Law
(1) The purpose of the Law is to establish an aggregate of
loyal, professional, and neutral State security institutions for
the Republic of Latvia in order to safeguard the independence of
the State, its constitutional order and territorial integrity
against external and internal threats.
(2) The Law prescribes the system of State security
institutions, the tasks and division of competence of the
entities thereof, unified conditions for service in State
security institutions, the duties, rights, and responsibilities
of the personnel of State security institutions, and also the
procedures for the financing, supervision, and control of State
security institutions.
[4 October 2018]
Section 2. State Security
Institutions
State security institutions are the State institutions
specified in this Law which, within the scope of their
competence, carry out intelligence, counterintelligence
activities and are the subjects of investigatory operations.
[27 June 2002; 7 April 2004]
Section 3. Intelligence and
Counterintelligence
(1) [27 June 2002]
(2) Intelligence is the activities of specially authorised
State institutions the purpose of which is obtaining information
regarding intentions and activities (actions) of foreign
governments, their institutions, organisations or individual
persons, which are or may be directed against the Republic of
Latvia and vitally important State interests thereof.
(3) Counterintelligence is the activities of specially
authorised State institutions the purpose of which is ensuring
the protection of the State constitutional structure, national
independence, national economic, scientific, technical and
military potential, official secrets and vitally important State
interests and security against spying, diversions, sabotage,
terrorist acts and other types of threats, and also taking
special measures to prevent or terminate such threats or to
eliminate the consequences caused thereby.
(4) Intelligence and counterintelligence activities shall be
conducted according to the competence specified for each State
security institution in law and on the basis of the decision of
an official of a State security institution.
(5) The content of intelligence and counterintelligence
activities shall be determined by the by-law of intelligence and
counterintelligence activities of the respective State security
institution which, after coordination with the Council of State
Security Institutions, shall be approved by the head of the
respective State security institution.
(6) Intelligence and counterintelligence activities shall be
conducted both by means of the specific intelligence and
counterintelligence activities of the respective State security
institution according to the by-law of intelligence and
counterintelligence activities and by taking the measures of
investigatory operations specified in the Investigatory
Operations Law. If such measure of investigatory operations is to
be taken in the intelligence and counter-intelligence process
which requires the acceptance of a judge, such acceptance shall
be given by the President of the Supreme Court or by a judge of
the Supreme Court specifically authorised thereby.
(7) The results of the measures of investigatory operations
taken within the scope of intelligence and counterintelligence
activities may be used as procedural evidence only upon consent
of the head of the respective State security institution and in
accordance with the procedures laid down in law.
[27 June 2002; 7 April 2004; 4 October 2018]
Section 4. Legal Basis of Activities
of State Security Institutions
The legal basis of activities of State security institutions
shall be the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, the National
Security Law, this Law, the Investigatory Operations Law, other
laws and regulatory enactments, and also international treaties
governing the protection of national security and State economic
sovereignty, and the tasks, obligations, and rights of the
subjects ensuring the public safety and order.
[27 June 2002]
Section 5. Basic Principles of
Activities of State Security Institutions
(1) The activities of State security institutions shall be
organised and carried out on a lawful basis, in conformity with
the general human rights, in cooperation with the citizens and
other inhabitants and relying upon their assistance.
(2) Activities of State security institutions shall be aimed
solely at guaranteeing the security of the Republic of Latvia and
they may not threaten the security of other countries.
(3) In carrying out intelligence, counterintelligence, or
other activities related to guaranteeing national security, it is
prohibited to cause physical or moral harm to persons, to
endanger the life and health of people, or to threaten to apply
or use physical means of coercion.
(4) The type, scale, and intensity of activities of State
security institutions must be commensurate to the type and level
of dangerousness of threat to national security.
(5) Activities of State security institutions shall not be
restricted depending on the citizenship, gender, nationality,
age, place of residence, education, social, service and property
status and office of persons, their political and religious
views, affiliation with parties or other public
organisations.
(6) Officials of State security institutions are prohibited
from directly or indirectly acting in the interests of political
parties, organisations, movements or persons, from involving in
activities of institutions implementing State authority and
administration, institutions of the Office of the Prosecutor and
court, and also the activities of public, political, religious
organisations and merchants in order to influence or persuade
them, except for the cases when it is necessary in order to
prevent or discover criminal offences or threats to national
security.
(7) No one, except for officials who are specifically
authorised for such purpose by law, is entitled to interfere with
activities of State security institutions and their officials,
unless such activities are unlawful. The officials and employees
of such institutions shall be responsible for their activities in
accordance with the procedures laid down in law.
(8) The principle of separation of authority (competences)
laid down in law shall be observed in activities of State
security institutions. The status of officials and employees of
such institutions shall be used solely for the performance of
their lawful obligations. Their activities may only be directed
at achieving the purposes or performance of the tasks specified
in this Law.
[27 June 2002; 7 April 2004; 2 June 2005; 4 October
2018]
Section 6. Protection of the Rights
and Freedoms of a Person
If a person believes that State security institutions through
their actions have infringed on the lawful rights and freedoms of
a person, such person is entitled to submit a complaint to the
public prosecutor who, after completing an examination, shall
provide an opinion with respect to the conformity of activities
of the official of the State security institution with the law,
or to bring an action to a court.
Chapter
Two
COMPETENCE OF INSTITUTIONS IMPLEMENTING STATE AUTHORITY AND
ADMINISTRATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF STATE SECURITY
INSTITUTIONS
Section 7. Competence of the
Saeima
[27 June 2002]
Section 8. Competence of the
National Security Council
[27 June 2002]
Section 9. Competence of the
Cabinet
[27 June 2002]
Chapter
Three
ORGANISATION OF STATE SECURITY INSTITUTIONS
Section 10. Main Tasks of State
Security Institutions
(1) The main tasks of State security institutions shall be as
follows:
1) collection, accumulation, analysis of political, economic,
social, military, scientific, technical, and other information
related to the threats to national security and ecology and the
use thereof in accordance with the procedures laid down in
law;
2) ensuring the protection of official secrets and other
interests of vital importance to the State;
3) forecasting the threats to national security, drawing up of
proposals, recommendations, and programmes on the issues of
national security;
4) preventing or neutralisation of threats to national
security;
5) timely and complete informing of the institutions
implementing State authority and administration of any threats to
national security;
6) provision of an opinion on the possibility to issue a
licence for exportation, importation, and transit of strategic
materials or weapons. Adverse opinion of the State security
institution may form the grounds for non-issuance of the licence
or cancellation of the licence;
7) submission of information and materials obtained on
criminal offences detected in the field of national security to
the Office of the Prosecutor or to an investigative institution
the competence of which includes carrying out of pre-trial
investigation on the particular criminal offence;
8) carrying out of investigation within the scope of
competence determined thereto;
9) cooperation and participation in maintaining world
piece;
10) exchanging of information classified within the scope of
the competence determined thereto with foreign institutions,
international organisations and institutions thereof.
(2) [18 June 2009]
[27 June 2002; 7 April 2004; 13 October 2005; 18 June 2009;
10 December 2009]
Section 11. Aggregate of State
Security Institutions
(1) The aggregate of State security institutions shall consist
of:
1) the Constitution Protection Bureau;
2) the Defence Intelligence and Security Service;
3) the State Security Service;
4) [6 May 1998].
(2) The State security institutions indicated in Paragraph one
of this Section shall operate independently, within the scope of
the mandate provided for them.
(3) The Cabinet may also involve other State administrative
institutions in the implementation and ensuring of the State
security measures.
[6 May 1998; 10 June 1999; 6 December 2001; 27 June 2002; 7
April 2004; 4 October 2018]
Section 12. Council of State
Security Institutions
(1) The aggregate of the heads of State security institutions
shall be the Council of State Security Institutions the head of
which shall be nominated from among the heads of security
institutions.
(2) The Council of State Security Institutions shall:
1) review the priorities of activities of State security
institutions, the requirements and tasks to be set forth for such
institutions;
2) coordinate the circulation of information, the procedures
for analysis and use thereof in State security institutions;
3) draw up the draft budget of State security
institutions;
4) aggregate the proposals and requests of State security
institutions, submit and maintain them in the institutions
implementing State authority and administration;
5) examine the external draft laws and regulations on the
issues of the activities of State security institutions;
6) assess the effectiveness of activities of State security
institutions;
7) review and coordinate the by-laws of intelligence and
counterintelligence activities of State security
institutions;
8) adopt the internal legal acts binding on State security
institutions in matters which require a coordinated operation of
State security institutions.
(3) The Prosecutor General may participate in the meetings of
the Council of State Security Institutions.
[29 March 2007; 4 October 2018]
Section 12.1 Head of a
State Security Institution
(1) The head of a State security institution shall manage the
work of the relevant State security institution and shall be
responsible for efficient performance of the tasks of the
institution specified in laws and regulations.
(2) The Cabinet shall appoint the head of the State Security
Service and the Defence Intelligence and Security Service for a
period of five years upon recommendation from the minister of the
relevant sector. Three months before the end of the term of
office, upon recommendation of the respective minister, the
Cabinet shall take the decision to extend the term for five years
or the decision to dismiss the head of the State security
institution from office.
(3) The procedures for the appointment and dismissal of the
director of the Constitution Protection Bureau, and also the term
of office shall be determined by the Law of the Constitution
Protection Bureau and the National Security Law.
(4) A person who has corresponding experience for the office
in a management position and who conforms to the mandatory
requirements laid down for officials and employees of State
security institutions and has received the first level personnel
security clearance for access to official secrets may be the head
of a State security institution.
(5) The head of a State security institution shall enter into
interdepartmental agreements without agreeing thereupon with a
higher institution and issue internal legal acts in conformity
with the exceptions specified in this Law.
[4 October 2018]
Section 13. Constitution Protection
Bureau
(1) The Constitution Protection Bureau is a State security
institution under subordination of the Cabinet the activities of
which are governed by a special law in addition to this Law.
(2) The course of the service of the officials of the
Constitution Protection Bureau shall be governed by this Law.
[4 October 2018]
Section 14. Defence Intelligence and
Security Service
(1) The Defence Intelligence and Security Service is a State
security institution under subordination of the Minister for
Defence which performs military counterintelligence, intelligence
and other tasks specified in this Law.
(2) The Defence Intelligence and Security Service shall:
1) obtain and ensure the Ministry of Defence, the institutions
subordinate thereto, other institutions implementing State
authority and administration and the responsible officials
thereof, and also the National Armed Forces with intelligence and
counterintelligence information necessary for the operation
thereof;
2) discover and, in cooperation with other State security
institutions, prevent the subversive activities of foreign
special services, and also organisations or individual persons
within the Ministry of Defence, institutions subordinate thereto
and in the National Armed Forces;
3) take measures for the protection of the official secret
within the Ministry of Defence, institutions subordinate thereto
and in the National Armed Forces, and control the their
implementation;
4) verify the candidates wishing to obtain special permits
(licences) issued by the Ministry of Defence for the performance
of individual types of commercial activity subject to licencing,
and provide an opinion on the issuance of special permits
(licences).
(3) The Defence Intelligence and Security Service shall
operate according to a by-law approved by the Cabinet.
(4) The Defence Intelligence and Security Service, within the
scope of its competence, shall be the subject of investigatory
operations.
(5) [2 June 2005]
(6) [27 June 2002]
(7) The Defence Intelligence and Security Service shall be the
national institution of signals intelligence of the Republic of
Latvia, carrying out and controlling the signals intelligence and
ensuring the protection of the obtained information.
[6 December 2001; 27 June 2002; 7 April 2004; 2 June 2005;
10 December 2009; 4 October 2018]
Section 15. State Security
Service
(1) The State Security Service is a State security institution
under the subordination of the Minister for the Interior which
performs the tasks specified in this Law and is responsible for
their completion.
(2) In the field of State security, the State Security Service
shall implement:
1) counterintelligence and investigatory operations measures
in order to combat crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide,
organised and economic crime, terrorism, sabotage and other
crimes endangering national security and authority, gang crimes,
corruption, money forgery, and also non-sanctioned distribution
of nuclear materials, narcotic and other (chemical, radioactive)
substances of strong effect or double usage goods, firearms and
weapons of another kind, explosives;
2) counterintelligence and investigatory operations measures
which are necessary for the protection of the Ministry of the
Interior and institutions of the system thereof;
3) protection of the official secret within the competence
laid down in the law On Official Secrets;
4) coordination of activities of State and local government
authorities, and also other legal persons in the field of
anti-terrorism and the analysis of the State policy in this
field.
(3) The State Security Service shall organise and carry out
the measures of protection (safeguarding) of State officials, and
also representatives of foreign and international organisations
and authorities, except for the protection (safeguarding) of such
officials which is provided by the Military Police in accordance
with the National Armed Forces Law. The officials to be protected
by the State Security Service, and also cooperation with other
State authorities and the procedures for protection
(safeguarding) shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(4) The State Security Service shall operate in accordance
with the National Security Law, the Operational Activities Law,
and also the law On Police, this Law, and a by-law approved by
the Cabinet.
(5) The State Security Service shall be the subject of
operational activities.
(6) [13 October 2005]
[27 June 2002; 7 April 2004; 13 October 2005; 20 November
2008; 4 October 2018]
Section 16. Information Service of
the National Guard Headquarters
[6 May 1998]
Section 17. Protection of
Information
(1) It is prohibited for officials and employees currently in
the service (work) of and retired (dismissed) from State security
institutions to disclose information which has become known to
them, is or has been accessible in the context of the service
(work) in the State security institution, without the special
authorisation of the head of the institution. Such information
may be disclosed only with the permission of the head of the
respective State security institution.
(2) The internal legal acts and interdepartmental agreements
of State security institutions shall be restricted access
information unless otherwise specified in the law On Official
Secrets or other laws and regulations.
(3) The officials and employees of State security institutions
shall take an oath of secrecy:
"I hereby swear that without special authorisation I shall not
disclose or make available to any institution or person
information which has become known or available to me due to the
service (work) in a State security institution."
(4) The procedures for taking the oath of secrecy shall be
determined by the head of the State security institution.
(5) Persons shall be liable for breaking the oath of secrecy
in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and
regulations.
[4 October 2018]
Chapter
Four
SERVICE AND WORK IN STATE SECURITY INSTITUTIONS
[4 October 2018]
Section 18. General Rules of Service
and Work, Prohibitions Imposed on Officials and Employees
(1) The personnel of State security institutions are officials
and employees.
(2) An official of a State security institution shall be
employed in the service of State security institutions. The norms
of the laws and regulations governing employment relationship
shall be applicable to the service relationship of State security
institutions insofar as the relevant matters are not determined
by this Law and the Law on Remuneration of Officials and
Employees of State and Local Government Authorities.
(3) An official of a State security institution is a
representative of the State authority and the lawful requirements
and orders made or issued by him or her when performing service
duties shall be mandatory for all persons. Resisting an official
of a State security institution, endangering the life or health
thereof as well as action interfering with the performance of his
or her service duties shall be punishable in accordance with the
law. An official of a State security institution shall be issued
with a service certificate for the certification of the authority
thereof. The Cabinet shall determine the sample of the service
certificate.
(4) Without the consent of the Prosecutor General, an official
of a State security institution shall not be held criminally
liable in the territory of Latvia, shall not be subject to
detention (including administrative detention), search,
conveyance by force, and also their residential or service
premises, personal or service vehicles shall not be subject to
search or inspection. The criminal procedural restrictions shall
not apply to an official of a State security institution in cases
when he or she is caught committing a criminal offence regarding
which the Prosecutor General and the head of the respective State
security institution shall be informed within 24 hours.
(5) An employee of a State security institution shall be a
person who performs such work duties in a State security
institution the performance of which does not require the rights
of an official of a State security institution specified in this
Law. The provisions of the laws and regulations governing
employment relationship shall apply to an employee of a State
security institution insofar as this Law does not provide
otherwise.
(6) An official and employee of a State security institution
shall be prohibited from:
1) carrying out political activities, organising strikes,
demonstrations, pickets and participating therein, establishing
trade unions and participating in their operation;
2) using the service status to decide matters related to the
personal interests of the official or employee himself or
herself, the fiancée, spouse, parents, grandparents, children,
grandchildren, adopters, adoptees, brothers, sisters,
half-brothers and half-sisters of the official or employee, and
also the persons with whom the relevant official or employee
lives together and with whom the official or employee has a joint
(undivided) household.
(7) Taking into account the necessity of the service and
safety considerations, the head of a State security institution
may impose a prohibition on an official or employee of a State
security institution to travel to a specific foreign country or
to impose other restrictions.
(8) Restrictions on commercial activity, obtaining income,
combination of offices and performance of work, and also other
restrictions and duties in relation to an official of a State
security institution shall be determined by the law On Prevention
of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials.
(9) An official and employee of a State security institution
shall not discredit himself or herself, the institution, and the
State with his or her actions during and outside the performance
of service (work) duties.
(10) The general duties of an official and employee of a State
security institution are:
1) to comply with the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia,
the norms of international laws binding on the Republic of
Latvia, and laws and other regulatory enactments;
2) to fulfil the oath taken in good faith;
3) conscientiously, in good faith, acting in the interests of
the State and the public, to perform the service (work) duties
and the lawful orders (writs) of officials of higher State
security institutions;
4) to comply with the specified principles of the ethics;
5) to regularly supplement knowledge and to improve the
professional skills and abilities necessary for the performance
of the service (work) duties.
(11) The property belonging to an official and employee of a
State security institution and the management thereof shall not
become an obstacle or hindrance for the performance of the
service (work) duties or transfer of such official and employee
to another position (in work).
[4 October 2018]
Section 19. Rights of an Official of
a State Security Institution
(1) An officials of a State security institution has the right
to:
1) within the scope of the competence, request and receive
information, documents, and other materials from State and local
government authorities, economic operators, organisations,
officials, and other persons irrespective of the ban of the use
thereof. Information, documents, and materials shall be issued in
the requested form and free of charge;
2) within the scope of the competence, become freely
acquainted with all types of State and local government
information carriers, including electronically accumulated data,
directories, archive materials, and other documents, and access
these irrespective of the ban of the use thereof. Becoming
acquainted with the information carriers and access thereto shall
be ensured in the requested mode and free of charge;
3) within the scope of the competence, upon request of the
head of a State security institution, become freely acquainted
with existing information in the registered data bases the
registration of which has been specified in laws and regulations,
irrespective of the belonging thereof, to access such information
and to receive it. Becoming acquainted with such information,
access thereto, and receipt thereof shall be ensured in the
requested scope, mode, and free of charge;
4) while performing his or her service duties and presenting
the certificate of an official of the State security institution,
without delay to freely access (enter) the non-residential
premises and land plot territories belonging to authorities,
economic operators, organisations, and private individuals, the
subdivisions of the National Armed Forces, except for the
premises and land plot territory which have exterritorial
status;
5) if necessary, to be exceptionally provided with transport
tickets in any type of public transport, but if there are no
tickets, to be provided with the possibility to enter and travel
by such means of transport;
6) in the interests of the service, use the communications and
mass information means belonging to the State and local
governments, and in exceptional cases - also belonging to private
individuals, free of charge. Expenditures for the use of
communications and mass information means belonging to private
individuals shall be reimbursed if requested by the owner;
7) keep and carry service or personal weapons and special
means, use weapons, use physical force and special means in
accordance with the law On the Police;
8) within the scope of their competence, receive free of
charge the necessary information, documents, and other materials
on services provided to persons, including information from the
holder of information and technical resources regarding contacts
of the persons, using post, telegraph, telecommunications, and
other data transmission networks;
9) while performing the service duties, verify the personal
identification documents;
10) acquire, register, process, collect, analyse, and store
the information necessary for the performance of the functions of
the relevant State security institution;
11) within the scope of their competence, call any person to
the State security institution in connection with the inspection
of information, and also with cases and materials the examination
of which is within the competence of the State security
institution;
12) if signs attesting to the possibility of illegal activity
have been detected in actions of a person, give a warning to the
person that the commission of a violation of the law which is
directed against State security or may harm it is
unacceptable.
(2) In addition to the rights referred to in Paragraph one of
this Section, an official of the State Security Service has the
right to:
1) convey persons by force in accordance with the procedures
laid down in law if they do not arrive, without justifiable
reason, at the State security institution after receipt of an
invitation in connection with the examination of cases and
materials;
2) within the scope of the competence, request persons to
cease violations of the law and other actions that interfere with
the execution of the powers of officials of a State security
institution, and also to use the provided compulsory means of
constraint against the offenders;
3) in accordance with the procedures laid down in law, detain
and hold under guard persons who are suspected or accused of
committing criminal or administrative offences;
4) within the scope of the competence, temporarily restrict or
suspend transport or pedestrian traffic on streets and roads, and
also the entry or exit of persons in specific places or
facilities, if such is required by the interests of State
security, public safety, protecting the lives, health and
property of persons, and also the interests of an
investigation.
(3) The head of a State security institution may announce and
disburse a compensation to any person for assistance in
overcoming a threat to State security, and also detection of a
criminal offence and the detention of persons who have committed
criminal offences.
(4) The information obtained in accordance with the procedures
laid down in Paragraph one of this Section shall be used only
within the framework of intelligence, counterintelligence
(including by conducting a personal check for access to official
secrets), operational, and criminal proceedings.
(5) The procedures for keeping and carrying service and
personal weapons and special means to be used in a State security
institution shall be determined by the head of the State security
institution.
[4 October 2018]
Section 20. Requirements Specified
for a Person for Service (Work) in a State Security
Institution
(1) A person who meets the following mandatory requirements
may be an official or employee of a State security
institution:
1) is a Latvian citizen;
2) is at least 18 years of age;
3) is fluent in Latvian and at least one foreign language;
4) has obtained higher education;
5) conforms to the requirements laid down in the law On
Official Secrets in order to receive a special permit for access
to official secrets;
6) the state of health and psychological qualities, and also
physical preparedness are appropriate for the performance of
service (work) duties;
7) has not been sentenced for an intentional criminal offence
or for the disclosure of official secrets out of negligence -
regardless of the clearing or extinguishing of criminal
record;
8) has not been convicted of an intentional criminal offence
or of disclosure of official secrets out of negligence, releasing
from the sentence, or the criminal proceedings initiated against
the person have been terminated on the basis of exoneration;
9) has not been sentenced with the deprivation of the right to
hold a specific office in official service by a court judgment or
a prosecutor's penal order in a criminal case;
10) has not been retired (dismissed) from the service of the
State security institutions, military or other official service
in the last five years upon application of a disciplinary
sanction - retirement from service or dismissal from office;
11) is not or has not been a permanent or freelance employee
of the security service (intelligence or counterintelligence
service) of the U.S.S.R., Latvian S.S.R. or other foreign state,
or an agent, resident, or keeper of a safe house (any covert
organisation of any form thereof);
12) after 13 January 1991 has not worked in the C.P.S.U.
(L.C.P.), the Working People's International Front of the Latvian
S.S.R., the United Council of Labour Collectives, the
Organisation of War and Labour Veterans or the All-Latvia
Salvation of Society Committee;
13) is not and has not been a member of an organisation
prohibited by law or court ruling.
(2) A person may be recruited into service (work) in a State
security institution if he or she conforms to the requirements
referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, and also:
1) up to the reaching of the service pension age specified in
the Law on Service Pensions of Officials of State Security
Institutions may serve for not less than five years;
2) has not been held criminally liable for an intentional
criminal offence or for the disclosure of official secrets out of
negligence.
(3) A person who has not acquired higher education or is not
fluent in any foreign language may be recruited into service
(work) in a State security institution and employed if such
education or the knowledge of a foreign language is not necessary
for the performance of the relevant office (work) and the person
has acquired at least secondary education.
(4) If a person has the specific skills or experience
necessary for the service, the head of the State security
institution may also recruit into service a person who has
reached the service pension age specified in the Law on Service
Pensions of Officials of State Security Institutions or who will
reach this age earlier than within five years but this does not
interfere with the performance of service duties.
(5) The requirements for the state of health, education,
professional and physical preparedness, knowledge of the official
language and a foreign language, and also the necessary
psychological qualities for the performance of service (work)
duties shall be determined by the head of the State security
institution.
(6) A person who applies for service (work) in a State
security institution has an obligation:
1) to present a personal identification document, documents
certifying education, an official language proficiency
certificate, if education has not been obtained in the official
language, and a document certifying the skills of a foreign
language;
2) in conformity with the requirements stipulated by the head
of the State security institution, to submit an opinion on the
state of health, and also a statement of a narcologist that
excessive use of alcohol, use of toxic substances, use of
narcotic or psychotropic substances without medical indications
has not been determined in relation to the person and a statement
of a psychiatrist that the person has not been diagnosed with
psychiatric diseases or behavioural disorders have not been
determined;
3) in conformity with the requirements stipulated by the head
of the State security institution, to undergo professional,
physical, and psychological fitness tests;
4) not to disclose information which has become known thereto
or is available at the State security institution due to the
application to the service (work).
(7) The head of a State security institution shall determine
the procedures for the selection, assessment, and also the
recruitment and appointment of such persons into service (into
work) who apply for service (work) in the State security
institution. The decision to recruit a candidate into service
(work) and to appoint into office shall be taken by the head of
the State security institution and this decision shall not be
appealed.
[4 October 2018]
Section 21. Probationary Period
after Recruitment into Service (Work) and Appointment into
Office
(1) Upon recruitment into service (work) and appointment to
office, a probationary period shall be determined for an official
and employee in order to ascertain whether the official or
employee is suitable for the performance of duties entrusted
thereto.
(2) The probationary period shall be determined for a period
of up to six months. If necessary, the head of the State security
institution may extend the probationary period for the official.
The total probationary period for an official shall not exceed
nine months. A period of temporary incapacity for work shall not
be included in the probationary period.
(3) During the probationary period, the head of a State
security institution may dismiss an official or employee from
office (work) and retire from service without indicating the
reason and notifying thereof in writing at least three working
days in advance.
[4 October 2018]
Section 22. Oath of an Official of a
State Security Institution
(1) Upon commencing the performance of the service duties in a
State security institution, an official shall take an oath of an
official of a State security institution:
"I swear to be loyal to the Republic of Latvia, to its
Constitution and to serve the people of Latvia, I undertake, not
sparing my strength, health and life, to protect the State of
Latvia, its independence and constitutional order, to
conscientiously perform the service duties entrusted to me and to
comply unquestioningly with the discipline of the service,
acknowledging my responsibility before the law."
(2) The procedures for taking the oath shall be determined by
the head of a State security institution.
[4 October 2018]
Section 23. Liability of Officials
and Employees of State Security Institutions
(1) An official and employee of a State security institution
shall be held disciplinary, administratively or criminally liable
for illegal or unethical conduct, and also for the violation of
the requirements of the service (work) specified in an order
(writ) of the head of the State security institution and, in
conformity with the restrictions and procedures provided for in
this Law and other laws and regulations, shall be materially
responsible for the losses (damages) caused.
(2) If a competent State authority or an official thereof has
established that an official or employee of a State security
institution has committed an administrative offence, the head of
the respective State security institution shall be informed
thereof within 24 hours. The head of the State security
institution shall, within five working days, provide an opinion
whether there are circumstances which exclude the liability of
the exposed official or employee.
(3) The head of a State security institution or an official
authorised thereby shall hold the official or employee of the
State security institution disciplinary liable for illegal or
unethical conduct which is related to the performance of service
(work) duties and takes the form of failure to comply with the
procedures and requirements laid down in legal acts.
(4) An official or employee of a State security institution
may also be held to disciplinary liability for action which is
not related to the performance of service (work) duties, but
which discredit the institution and undermine confidence in the
public administration. Such action or inaction of an official or
employee shall also be recognised as an offence which is directly
aimed at committing an offence, however, the offence has not been
committed in full for reasons independent of the will of the
official or employee.
(5) Such action is not recognised as an offence which has been
committed in a situation of justified professional risk upon
performance of service (work) assignment, however, without
violating the required limit of defence or extreme necessity.
(6) One of the following disciplinary sanctions may be imposed
on an official and employee of a State security institution for
an offence, assessing the circumstances of the committing of the
offence, the nature thereof and the harm caused, the mitigating
and aggravating circumstances of the form of guilt and liability,
and also the circumstances related to the nature of the service
(work):
1) a reproof;
2) a warning;
3) a reduction of the monthly salary in the amount of up to 20
per cent for a time period of up to one year;
4) demotion;
5) retirement from service or dismissal from office
(work).
(7) If an official or employee has committed an offence but
such offence is minor or has not caused adverse consequences, a
senior official may give a warning to such official or employee
without initiating a disciplinary matter or by taking the
decision to terminate a disciplinary matter. A warning shall not
be a disciplinary sanction.
(8) The head of a State security institution or an official
authorised thereby shall, not later than one month from the date
of the discovery of the offence, initiate a disciplinary matter,
taking the decision to initiate a disciplinary matter. The
decision to initiate a disciplinary matter shall not be an
administrative act and may not be appealed. A disciplinary matter
shall not be initiated, but the proposed disciplinary matter
shall be terminated if service (work) relationship has been
terminated with the official or employee or more than two years
have elapsed from the day of committing the offence.
(9) If criminal prosecution of an official or employee has
been initiated for the same offence for which there are grounds
for initiating a disciplinary matter and therefore a disciplinary
matter has not been initiated, it may be initiated within one
month from the day on which the State security institution
received the ruling in effect regarding termination of criminal
proceedings or a part thereof against such person.
(10) A decision in a disciplinary matter shall be taken within
one month from the date of the initiation of a disciplinary
matter. If, due to objective reasons, this time period cannot be
complied with, the period of the disciplinary matter may be
extended to three months by a reasoned decision of the head of
the State security institution or the authorised official
thereof. The time period for the examination of the disciplinary
matter shall not include the period during which the official or
employee has had temporary incapacity for work or has been on
leave or on a work trip.
(11) The operation of a disciplinary sanction -reproof - shall
commence from the day when the reproof is given and shall expire
three months after this day. The operation of a disciplinary
sanction -warning - shall commence from the day when the warning
is issued and shall expire one year after this day. The operation
of a disciplinary sanction - reduction of the monthly salary -
shall commence from the day when the enforcement of the decision
taken on the imposing of the disciplinary sanction is commenced
and shall expire one year after the date on which execution of
the disciplinary sanction has been completed. The operation of a
disciplinary sanction -demotion - shall commence from the day
when the sanctioned person is demoted and shall expire one year
after this day. The operation of a disciplinary sanction shall be
the period during which the fact that an official or employee has
been disciplinary sanctioned may be used in the legal relations
therewith. During the operation of the disciplinary sanction, the
official shall not be promoted in office.
(12) The procedures for initiating and examining a
disciplinary matter, and imposing a disciplinary sanction shall
be determined by the head of a State security institution.
(13) The holding of an official or employee of a State
security institution criminally liable shall not exempt him or
her from potential civil, administrative, and criminal
liability.
(14) If the decision to impose a disciplinary sanction has
been taken by a State security institution, it may be contested
by submitting a relevant submission to the head of the State
security institution.
(15) The decision of the head of a State security institution
to impose a disciplinary sanction may be appealed to a court in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative
Procedure Law. Appealing of the decision shall not suspend the
operation thereof.
(16) If the decision to apply a disciplinary sanction has been
taken on the basis of the information obtained as a result of
intelligence or counterintelligence activities of a State
security institution or if the committing of the offence is
related to an intelligence or counterintelligence activity, the
relevant decision may be appealed to the Administrative Regional
Court within a month from the date of its entering into effect.
Appealing of the decision shall not suspend the operation
thereof.
(17) The Regional Administrative Court shall examine a matter
initiated on the basis of an application for the decision
referred to in Paragraph sixteen of this Section as a court of
first instance. The case shall be examined in the composition of
three judges. The judgment of the Regional Administrative Court
may be appealed by lodging a cassation complaint.
(18) If a court is required to verify information containing
official secrets to objectively establish the circumstances of
the case, such information shall be consulted and evaluated only
by the court. The court shall indicate in the ruling that this
information has been evaluated.
[4 October 2018]
Chapter
Five
STRUCTURE OF STATE SECURITY INSTITUTIONS, THE FINANCING, GENERAL
MANAGEMENT, AND CONTROL OF THEIR ACTIVITIES
Section 24. Approval of the
Structure and Staff-Roll of State Security Institutions,
Financing of Activities of such Institutions
(1) Upon initiative of the head of a State security
institution, the numerical composition of the staff, the
structure and staff-roll of the State security institution shall
be approved by the responsible minister. The head of the State
security institution shall be liable for those matters of staff
selection and appointment the resolution of which is not under
the supervision of the responsible minister in accordance with
the procedures and in the amount laid down in the State
Administration Structure Law.
(2) Officials and employees of a State security institution
shall receive remuneration determined according to the Law on
Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local
Government Authorities.
(3) Activities of State security institutions shall be
financed from the funds from the State budget.
(4) The procedures for the use of funds and internal control
shall be determined by the head of the State security
institution.
(5) Data on the numerical composition of the staff and
internal structure of State security institutions, staff-rolls,
finances and technical equipment thereof shall be an official
secret.
[27 June 2002; 7 April 2004; 2 June 2005; 1 December
2009]
Section 25. Control and Monitoring
of Activities of State Security Institutions
(1) The Saeima and the National Security Committee
thereof shall carry out parliamentary control over activities of
State security institutions.
(2) The Cabinet shall, within the scope of its competence,
shall control activities of State security institutions.
(3) The National Security Committee of the Saeima is
entitled to hear the reports and statements of the heads of State
security institutions, and also to get acquainted with the
official documents and information of such institutions, except
for the documents on covert sources of information.
(4) The responsible minister shall carry out monitoring over
the State security institution under his or her subordination in
all fields, except for the processes of investigatory operations,
intelligence and counterintelligence of State security
institutions and the official secret protection system.
[27 June 2002; 4 July 2004; 2 June 2005]
Section 26. Supervision of
Activities of State Security Institutions
(1) The Prosecutor General and public prosecutors specifically
authorised by him or her shall supervise the processes of
investigatory operations, intelligence and counterintelligence of
State security institutions and the official secret protection
system. When carrying out supervision, they are entitled to
become acquainted with the documents, materials, and information
at the disposal of State security institutions. Identity of
information sources shall be disclosed only in such cases when
they are directly involved in committing of a criminal offence,
moreover, only to the Prosecutor General, but to prosecutors
specifically authorised by him or her - only upon consent of the
head of the State security institution; it is prohibited to
disclose the identity of information sources under supervision
procedures.
(2) For persons who implement control, monitoring, or
supervision over the activities of the State security
institution, the duties for the protection of information shall
be the same as for officials and employees of such
institutions.
(3) Inspections of State security institutions and the scope
of such inspections must be coordinated with the National
Security Committee of the Saeima and the results of such
inspections must be notified thereto.
(4) State security institutions shall be subject to court
control in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid
down in law.
(5) Internal legal acts of State security institutions related
to the processes of investigatory operations, intelligence and
counterintelligence and the official secret protection system
shall enter into effect after the approval thereof by the
Prosecutor General.
(6) The internal legal acts referred to in Paragraph five of
this Section need not be coordinated with the Ministry of
Justice.
[27 June 2002; 2 June 2005; 4 October 2018]
Chapter
Six
Career Course of Service
in a State Security Institution
[4 October 2018]
Section 27. Job Description of the
Office of an Official
(1) The requirements, duties, rights, liability, and
subordination shall be determined in the job description of the
official.
(2) The education necessary for the performance of the duties
of office shall be determined by the head of the State security
institution.
(3) The job description of an official shall be approved by
the head of the relevant State security institution.
[4 October 2018]
Section 28. Conformity Assessment of
an Official
(1) The conformity assessment of an official shall include the
assessment of the activities of the official and the results
thereof, the state of health, psychological qualities, and also a
test of the physical preparedness for the performance of the
duties of office.
(2) The activities of an official of a State security
institution and the results thereof shall be evaluated not less
than once every two years. The evaluation of activities of an
official and the results thereof may be as follows:
1) conforms to the requirements specified for the office, may
be promoted for appointment to a higher office;
2) conforms to the requirements specified for the office;
3) partly conforms to the requirements specified for the
office;
4) does not conform to the requirements specified for the
office.
(3) An official has an obligation to undergo an examination of
the state of health under a referral of the State security
institution and within the period determined by the State
security institution.
(4) The State security institution shall, if necessary,
examine the psychological qualities of the official, and also the
conformity of the physical preparedness for the performance of
service duties.
(5) The result of the evaluation may be used in order to take
the following decision as regards the official:
1) awarding;
2) awarding of bonuses;
3) transfer to another position;
4) sending for the raising of qualification;
5) retiring from service due to non-conformity to the
service.
(6) The procedures for the conformity assessment of an
official shall be determined by the head of the State security
institution.
[4 October 2018]
Section 29. Transfer of an Official
to Another Position in a State Security Institution and
Appointment to Another Unit
(1) An official may be transferred to a position of an absent
official or a vacant position, taking into account the
requirements laid down for the respective position:
1) in the interests of the service for a definite period of
time in order to ensure efficient performance of the duties of
office;
2) in the interests of the service for an indefinite period of
time in order to ensure efficient performance of the duties of
office;
3) of his or her own free will;
4) in relation to the non-conformity of the official with the
previous position;
5) in abolishing the office or a structural unit or
reorganising it;
6) due to expiry of the period of time for which the official
was transferred to another position in the interests of the
service;
7) due to disappearance of the circumstances which formed the
basis for the transfer of the official to another position;
8) upon applying a disciplinary sanction - demotion.
(2) In the cases referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 2 and 5
of this Section an official may be transferred to another
position only with the consent thereof.
(3) An official shall be transferred to another position in
the same State security institution by an order (writ) of the
head of such institution but in another State security
institution - by a decision of the Council of State Security
Institutions.
(4) When transferring an official to another position with a
lower monthly salary, in the cases referred to in Paragraph one,
Clauses 1 and 2 of this Section the official shall retain the
monthly salary specified in the previous position.
(5) In the case referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 1 of this
Section, an official shall be transferred for a period of time
that is not longer than three years and he or she shall have the
rights retained to return to the previous or similar
position.
(6) Taking into account the necessity of the service, an
official may be assigned to perform service duties in another
unit for a definite period of time by an order (writ) of the head
of the State security institution. Such appointment may not be
considered transfer to another position or an official
travel.
[4 October 2018]
Section 30. Appointment of an
Official to Another State Administration Institution,
International Organisation, or Institution of a Member State of
Such International Organisation
(1) In the interests of State security, an official may be
temporarily appointed to another State administration
institution, appointing him or her in an office in the relevant
State administration institution and maintaining the status of an
official of a State security institution for him or her. The head
of the State security institution is entitled to transfer the
official to another State administration institution. The
official shall be appointed to office by the head of the relevant
State security institution. If such appointment has taken place
upon request of the State administration institution, the
remuneration of the official shall be ensured by that
institution.
(2) An official may be temporarily appointed to an
international organisation the Member State of which is the
Republic of Latvia or with which the Republic of Latvia
cooperates or to an institution of a Member State of such
international organisation, maintaining the status of an official
of the State security institution for him or her.
(3) In the case referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this
Section, the relevant State security institution shall disburse
only the part of the remuneration to the official and shall
retain only those social guarantees which are not covered by
another State administration authority, international
organisation, or authority of the Member State thereof.
(4) The appointment to another State administration authority
or international organisation in the cases referred to in
Paragraphs one and two of this Section shall not be regarded as a
transfer to another position or official travel. The time when
the official performs the duties of office provided for in this
Section shall be included in the length of service of the
official.
[4 October 2018]
Section 31. Official Travel
(1) Officials may be sent on an official travel outside the
place of permanent service for the performance of official
service duties or for supplementing knowledge and raising
qualifications, reimbursing the expenditures related thereto in
accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and
regulations.
(2) Work remuneration shall be retained for the official
during the official travel.
[4 October 2018]
Section 32. Suspension of an
Official from the Performance of the Duties of Office
(1) The head of a State security institution shall suspend an
official from the performance of the duties of office if a
prohibition from specific employment has been imposed on the
official as a preventive measure with a temporary limitation on
the performance of the duties of a specific office, house arrest
or arrest.
(2) The head of a State security institution may suspend an
official from the performance of the duties of office in the
following cases:
1) criminal proceedings have been initiated against the
official;
2) the official, while performing his or her work or being in
the workplace, is under the influence of alcohol, narcotic,
psychotropic, or toxic substances;
3) the official has refused a medical examination for the
detection of the influence of alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic, or
toxic substances;
4) for the period while a service inspection or an
investigation of the service regarding the alleged offence of the
official is performed;
5) in other cases where non-suspension of the official from
the performance of the duties thereof may prejudice the rights or
legal interests thereof or of third parties or the legitimate
interests of the State security institution.
(3) In the cases referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this
Section (except for Paragraph two, Clause 4), the head of the
State security institution shall suspend an official from the
performance of the duties of office, discontinuing the payment of
the work remuneration for the time when the official has been
suspended. In the case referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 4 of
this Section the work remuneration and social guarantees shall be
retained for the official.
(4) If in the cases referred to in Paragraph one or Paragraph
two, Clause 1 of this Section the court justifies the official
suspended or criminal proceedings against such official are
terminated on the grounds of exoneration, the suspended official
shall be disbursed the work remuneration for the period of
suspension. If the suspension of the official from the
performance of the duties of office in the cases referred to in
Paragraph two, Clauses 2, 3, and 5 of this Section has been
unjustified, the State security institution has an obligation to
disburse the average earnings for the entire period of forced
delay in the work, and also to reimburse the losses resulting
from the suspension.
(5) The period when an official has been suspended from the
performance of the duties of office, except for the cases
referred to in Paragraph four of this Section, shall not be
included in the length of service thereof.
[4 October 2018]
Section 33. Uniforms of Officials of
the State Security Service
The head of the State Security Service may specify the
positions the duties of which shall be performed while wearing a
uniform on a permanent basis, and also determine the description
of the uniform of officials and distinguishing marks, the issuing
norms, and the procedures for wearing the uniform.
[4 October 2018]
Section 34. Awards to be Granted to
Officials
(1) An official may be granted the following awards for
exemplary performance of service duties or good results of the
performance of service duties:
1) gratitude;
2) a valuable prize;
3) supplementary leave of up to 10 days;
4) the award of the head of the State security
institution;
5) a personal weapon.
(2) The award referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 3 of this
Section shall be granted by adding it to the annual paid leave or
upon the wish of the official at another time during the current
or subsequent calendar year when the conditions of service allow
it.
(3) The awards referred to in Paragraph one of this Section
shall be awarded to the official of the State security
institution by the head of the respective State security
institution. The award referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 5 of
this Section shall be awarded to the head of the State security
institution by the responsible minister.
(4) The award shall be awarded according to the procedures
stipulated by the head of the State security institution. An
official shall be notified of the granted award in person, where
possible - in ceremonious circumstances.
[4 October 2018]
Section 35. Organisation of Time for
the Performance of Service Duties
(1) The organisation and accounting of the time period for the
performance of service duties of officials shall be determined by
the head of the State security institution, taking into account
the nature of the service duties and conforming to the conditions
referred to in this Section.
(2) Regular time for the performance of service duties of an
official shall be eight hours within a period of 24 hours, seven
hours on days before public holidays but 40 hours per week.
Within the scope of the type of organisation of normal
performance of service duties, the weekly rest days shall be
Saturday and Sunday. An official shall also not be employed in
the performance of service duties on the public holidays
specified in law.
(3) If the normal duration of the time period for the
performance of service duties cannot be complied with, the head
of a State security institution shall determine the aggregated
time for the performance of service duties which shall not exceed
the normal number of hours for the performance of service duties
during the four-month accounting period. Week's days of rest
during a period of seven days shall not be shorter than 36
consecutive hours.
(4) Taking into account the necessity of the service, an
official may, by an order (writ) of the head of a State security
institution, be involved in the performance of service duties
outside the time specified for the performance of service duties,
during weekly rest days and on the public holidays specified in
law, and also during a week of rest without exceeding 144 hours
during a period of four months. If the aggregated time for the
performance of service duties has been specified for an official,
the accounting period shall be four calendar months.
(5) Any period from 22.00 until 6.00 during the official
performs service duties for more than two hours shall be
accounted as the performance of service duties at night.
(6) During the performance of service duties, an official
shall be granted a break which shall not be less than 30 minutes
and which he or she may use at his or her own discretion. The
break shall not be counted in the period of performance of
service duties. An official has the right to the following:
1) one break if the period of continuous performance of
service duties is longer than six hours but does not exceed 12
hours;
2) two breaks if the period of continuous performance of
service duties is longer than 12 hours but does not exceed 18
hours;
3) three breaks if the period of continuous performance of
service duties is longer than 18 hours.
(7) Taking into account the necessity of the service, the head
of a State security institution may specify a prohibition to
leave the place where the service duties are performed during a
break. If during an official has been prohibited from leaving the
place where the service duties are performed during a break and
the official may not use this period at his or her own
discretion, such a break shall be included in his or her working
time.
[4 October 2018]
Section 36. Leave of an Official
(1) An official shall be granted annual paid leave according
to the procedures stipulated by the head of a State security
institution according to the timetable of annual leave. The
timetable of annual leave shall be drawn up in such a way as to
ensure the continuous performance of the functions of the State
security institution. The respective minister shall grant annual
paid leave to the head of the State security institution.
(2) If it is necessary for the continuous performance of the
functions of the State security institution, part of the annual
paid leave of an official may be transferred to the following
year. Where possible, the transferred part of the leave shall be
added to the leave of the subsequent year.
[4 October 2018]
Section 37. Retirement of an
Official from Service
(1) The head of a State security institution shall have the
right to retire an official from service.
(2) An official shall be retired from service:
1) of his or her own free will;
2) due to the expiry of the time period;
3) if he or she has not passed the probationary period;
4) if the state of health does not conform to the specified
requirements;
5) upon determining the non-conformity thereof with the
requirements specified for service in the State security
institution;
6) upon establishing the his or her unsuitability for the
office, if the official does not agree to a transfer to another
office or if there is no other office which may be offered to the
official in the respective State security institution and to
whose requirements the official conforms;
7) due to the liquidation of the position of the official or
the reduction of the number of officials;
8) upon imposing a disciplinary sanction - retirement from
service.
(3) An official may be retired from service, if the
official:
1) in accordance with the conformity assessment thereof, does
not conform to the requirements specified for the office;
2) has reached the age of service and length of service
specified in the Law on Service Pensions of Officials of State
Security Institutions which gives the right to a service pension
for officials of State security institutions;
3) due to the fact that he or she, due to continuous
incapacity for work, has not performed the duties of office for
more than four consecutive months or for more than six months in
a year with interruptions and the health disorders have not been
obtained in an accident while performing the service duties;
4) has been under the influence of alcohol, narcotic,
psychotropic, or toxic substances and has not undergone or has
refused to undergo the examination for detecting the influence of
such substances without a justifiable reason.
(4) An official who wants to retire from service of his or her
own free will shall warn the head of the State security
institution at least 30 days in advance in writing. If the
abovementioned officials come to such agreement, the official may
be retired from service prior to the expiry of the notice
period.
(5) An official may not be retired from service during the
temporary incapacity for work thereof (except for the cases
referred to in Paragraph two, Clauses 1, 4, 5, and 8 and
Paragraph three, Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of this Section) or during
the time period when the official is on leave or does not perform
the service duties due to other justifiable reasons.
(6) Due to the liquidation of the position of an official or
the reduction of the number of officials, an official may be
retired from service if in the relevant State security
institution:
1) there is no other office which may be offered to the
official and to the requirements of which the official
conforms;
2) there is another office which may be offered to the
official and to the requirements of which the official conforms,
but the official does not agree to accept the office offered.
(7) If an official is retired from service in the case
referred to in Paragraph six of this Section, he or she shall be
notified in writing 30 days in advance.
(8) The decision of the head of a State security institution
on the retiring of an official may be appealed to a court in
accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative
Procedure Law. Appealing of the decision shall not suspend the
enforcement thereof.
(9) If the decision on the retiring of an official from
service has been taken on the basis of the information obtained
as a result of the intelligence or counterintelligence activities
of the State security institution or if the taking thereof is
otherwise related to intelligence or counterintelligence
activities, the relevant decision may be appealed to the Regional
Administrative Court within one month from the day of its entry
into effect. Appealing of the decision shall not suspend the
enforcement thereof.
(10) The Regional Administrative Court shall examine a matter
initiated on the basis of an application for the decision
referred to in Paragraph nine of this Section as a court of first
instance. The case shall be examined in the composition of three
judges. The judgment of the Regional Administrative Court may be
appealed by lodging a cassation complaint.
(11) If a court is required to verify information containing
official secrets to objectively establish the circumstances of
the case, such information shall be consulted and evaluated only
by the court. The court shall indicate in the ruling that this
information has been evaluated.
(12) In order to receive a special permit for access to
official secrets, an official who is retired from service due to
non-compliance with the requirements laid down in the law On
Official Secrets may not appeal the decision on the retiring
thereof from service if, after appealing or contesting the
decision on the refusal, revocation, or reduction of a category,
a special permit has not been issued to such official.
(13) An official who is retired from service shall be
disbursed a money compensation for the annual leave and
supplementary leave not used in the year of retirement and the
preceding year, and also the remuneration for the performance of
service duties above the time specified for the performance of
service duties, if the official has not been granted the time of
rest the length of which conforms to the performance of service
duties above the time specified for the performance of service
duties.
(14) If, in accordance with Paragraph two, Clauses 4 and 7 and
Paragraph three, Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Section such
official is retired from service who has used the annual leave or
a part thereof in the year of retirement, the disbursed average
earnings from the work remuneration of the official shall not be
deducted.
[4 October 2018]
Section 38. Transfer of Cases
An official of a State security institution who is being
retired from service or transferred to another position shall
hand over the service certificate, documents related to the
performance of the duties of office, materials, material values
to an official assigned by the head of the State security
institution, signing a deed of delivery and acceptance, and shall
settle the accounts with the respective State security
institution.
[4 October 2018]
Section 39. Pensions to Officials of
State Security Institutions
An official of a State security institution has the right to a
service pension in accordance with the procedures and in the
amount laid down in the Law on Service Pensions of Officials of
State Security Institutions.
[4 October 2018]
Transitional Provisions
1. With the coming into force of this Law, the following
decisions of the Supreme Council and the Presidium of the Supreme
Council of the Republic of Latvia shall be repealed:
1) Decision of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia
"On the Establishment of the Safety Guard Service of the Supreme
Council of the Republic of Latvia" (Latvijas Republikas
Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1991, No. 35/36);
2) Decision of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia
"On Amendments to the Decision of the Supreme Council of the
Republic of Latvia "On Establishment of the Safety Guard Service
of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia"" (Latvijas
Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1991, No.
35/36).
2. Within two months after coming into force of this Law the
Cabinet shall take over the Security Service of the Republic of
Latvia under its subordination, in the meantime drawing up the
new by-laws of the Security Service.
3. As of the moment when the Cabinet has taken the Security
Service of the Republic of Latvia under its subordination and
approved the by-laws of this Service, the following shall be
repealed:
1) decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the
Republic of Latvia On Approval of the By-laws of the Security
Service of the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas
Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1992, No. 44/45);
2) decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the
Republic of Latvia On Approval of the Staff-Roll of the Security
Service of the Republic of Latvia;
3) decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the
Republic of Latvia On Amendments to 4 June 1992 Decision of the
Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia "On
Approval of the By-Laws of the Security Service of the Republic
of Latvia"(Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības
Ziņotājs, 1993, No. 3/4);
4) decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the
Republic of Latvia On Regulation for Acquisition, Registration,
Storage and Issuance of the Firearms, Ammunition, High Explosive
Substances for the Safety Guard Service of the Supreme Council of
the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes
un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1991, No. 49/50);
5) decision of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia
On Renaming of the Safety Guard Service of the Supreme Council of
the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes
un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1992, No. 6/7).
4. The remuneration determined according to this Law (work
remuneration, benefits, etc.) in 2009 shall be determined in
accordance with the law On Remuneration of Officials and
Employees of State and Local Government Authorities in 2009.
[12 December 2008]
5. The State security institution shall notify in writing the
officials in the service of the State security institution with
whom an employment contract has been entered into of the
termination of the employment relationship and the continuation
of the service relationship in accordance with the conditions of
Chapter Six of this Law. If the official does not agree to
continue the service in the State security institution after
receiving the notification, the head of the State security
institution shall terminate the employment relationship with the
official on 1 February 2019. If the official agrees to continue
service in the State security institution by establishing a
service relationship, the conditions included in Section 20,
Paragraph two, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Law shall not apply to the
recruitment of the official in the service in the State security
institution.
[4 October 2018]
6. As of 1 January 2019, the service relationship of the
institutions of the system of the Ministry of the Interior shall
expire for officials of State security institutions with a
special service rank and the service relationship of State
security institutions shall continue. These officials need not
repay the residual value of the uniform issued. Until 31 March
2019, Section 12 of the Law on the Career Course of Service of
Officials with Special Service Ranks Working in Institutions of
the System of the Ministry of the Interior and the Prisons
Administration may be applied to the abovementioned officials. In
such case, the service of the relevant official in the service of
the institutions of the system of the Ministry of the Interior
and the Prisons Administration shall not be interrupted.
[4 October 2018]
7. The oath of the official provided for in the law On State
Security Institutions shall also be taken by the officials of
State security institutions who have commenced service in the
State security institution until 1 January 2019.
[4 October 2018]
8. In respect of an official who holds the office of head of
the Defence Intelligence and Security Service on 1 January 2019,
the term of office specified in Section 12.1,
Paragraph two of this Law is counted from 1 January 2019.
[4 October 2018]
9. An official or employee who has not acquired higher
education until 1 January 2019 and in respect of whom the
exception provided for in Section 20, Paragraph three of this Law
is not applicable may continue to hold the position of an
official or perform the work until 1 January 2024 without the
education corresponding to the requirements laid down in this
Law.
[4 October 2018]
10. For a retired official of the Security Police who in
accordance with Section 44.1 of the Law on the Career
Course of Service of Officials with Special Service Ranks Working
in Institutions of the System of the Ministry of the Interior and
the Prison Administration has the right to wear a dress (parade)
uniform the head of the State Security Service may determine a
prohibition for wearing such uniform if the official, while
wearing the uniform, does not follow the general norms of
propriety and principles of ethics, discredits the State Security
Service with his or her activities or if the wearing of the
uniform is incompatible with the interests of service.
[4 October 2018]
11. In disciplinary proceedings which have been initiated
against officials of the Security Police until 31 December 2018
and in which investigation has not been completed, the decision
on the application of the disciplinary sanction or the
termination of the disciplinary matter shall be taken, and also
the decision taken shall be enforced by applying the conditions
laid down in the Law on the Career Course of Service of Officials
with Special Service Ranks Working in Institutions of the System
of the Ministry of the Interior and the Prisons Administration
which was in force until 31 December 2018.
[4 October 2018]
12. The name "Security Police" of the State security
institution used in laws and regulations shall henceforth be
known under the name of the State security institution "State
Security Service" until the gradual clarification of the wording
of these laws and regulations.
[4 October 2018]
The Law shall come into force on the day of its
proclamation.
The Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 5 May
1994.
President G. Ulmanis
Rīga, 19 May 1994
1 The Parliament of the Republic of
Latvia
Translation © 2021 Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre)