Soviet monument in Rīga to be closed off all summer

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Access to the Soviet monument at Uzvaras Park in Riga will be restricted until August 31, LETA reported on May 16.

In addition, the State Police (VP) has prepared a special action plan to ensure public order and security in relation to future decisions on the dismantling of the monument, according to the Ministry of Interior's report to the government.

Given that there is increased public tension and potential provocation in relation to the monument, for the maintenance of public order and security, permanent police presence has been appointed at the monument since May 11.

The report acknowledges that, although the removal of flowers laid on May 9 had seemed initially legitimate and the VP had no obvious legal basis for stopping the removal, its organization and implementation was not sufficiently coordinated with the VP, nor was it assessed at all from the perspective of the potential escalation of social tensions and social-political tensions.

The report concludes that, in view of the current geopolitical tensions, including the overtaking of public-interest decisions by 10 May, any other decision or action by the institutions involved could equally serve as a catalyst for the negative development of the situation.

The necessary follow-up action resulting from these findings provides two directions: a review of the operating algorithms and mechanisms of the management units of the VP, and to implement a package of measures to strengthen the capacity and competence of police officers to take decisions not only specifically relevant to the situation but also relevant and responsible for the development of the public safety situation as a whole.

 

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