Head of Maxima Latvia supermarket chain fired over commentsNovember 29, 2013 - 10:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The head of a supermarket chain in Latvia has lost his job over controversial comments he made after the collapse of a shop in Riga, BBC News reported. Gintaras Jasinskas, chairman of Maxima Latvia, sparked anger by saying: "It is those who feel guilty who resign." His remarks came after he was asked whether any company executives would follow Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis' lead and step down. At least 54 people died when the Maxima supermarket collapsed last week. Asked about the disaster, Jasinskas said he felt "responsible, but not guilty", adding that he could "look people in the eyes". Maxima, which has its headquarters in neighbouring Lithuania, operates supermarkets in all three Baltic states. The foreign ministry summoned Lithuania's ambassador Ricardas Degutis to demand an explanation, according to local media. Mindaugas Bagdonavicius, Lithuanian chief executive of the Maxima Group, later announced Jasinskas had been sacked over Thursday, November 28 remarks. "Shareholders have decided to dismiss from his position the chairman of Maxima Latvija Gintaras Jasinskas for his unacceptably expressed opinion at this painful and difficult time for Latvia's nation," Reuters quoted Bagdonavicius as saying. The Latvian prime minister announced his resignation - and thereby the fall of his government - on Wednesday. President Berzins earlier described the disaster as "murder" and called for foreign experts to investigate what had happened. Berzins is now considering appointing a new government. Elections are not scheduled until October next year. The collapse was the biggest loss of life since Latvia became independent from the USSR in 1991. Police have opened a criminal investigation into the cause of the disaster. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Yeremyan Projects opens state-of-the-art dairy production plant Yeremyan Projects officially launched the Yeremyan Products state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Yerevan on May 24. Armenian PM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Vanadzor The helicopter transporting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an emergency landing in Vanadzor. |