VILNIUS — Lithuania’s Minister of Health Algis Čaplikas announced Friday that Artūras Skikas was dismissed from his vice minister position in light of the ongoing corruption investigation against him.

Although Skikas, who remains in police custody after being arrested Jan. 21 on the charge of accepting a 20,000 litai (€5,790) bribe, has not been convicted of a crime yet, Čaplikas said the health ministry is within its legal rights by firing him.

The minister relies on a rapid procedure for removal from office … for any of the officials to whom the law is or will be bringing allegations,” Čaplikas said.

Skikas first hearing on the case will be Wednesday. If found guilty, he could face up to five years imprisonment and be barred from working in the medical field.

Skikas held the vice minister post for eight months. Previously he worked as the director of the Sveikatos Darna private clinic in Šilutė.