Four detained by dismantled Soviet monument in Uzvaras Park, Rīga

During the night to Tuesday, May 9, four young people were detained in Rīga at the dismantled monument in Uzvaras Park, where flowers were placed, the Chief of State Police Armands Ruks said in an interview with Latvian Radio on May 9.

May 9 is regarded as WWII Victory Day by some of the Russian-speaking population, and in previous years, there were extensive festivities by the monument in Uzvaras Park. Due to the war launched by Russia in Ukraine, festivities were prohibited last year, the monument was toppled in August, and this year, a law banning provocative and Soviet-glorifying events on May 9 was adopted.

The night on Tuesday was described as peaceful, although four cases were recorded in Rīga with the drawing of symbols of Russian aggression in the suburbs. However, such cases are happening every day.

During the night, the police detained four persons who placed flowers in Rīga, Uzvaras Park at the site of the former monument. Administrative infringement proceedings have been initiated. The detainees are young people born between 2002 and 2005.

Meanwhile, in Ventspils, Liepāja, Jēkabpils, and also in Rīga, cases have been recorded with the placing of flowers, black-and-orange Georg ribbons, and Russian flags at burial sites. "These are individual cases, there are not many of them," the police chief said.

In general, the State Police on Tuesday works in a reinforced mode.

“And those who will dare today and who will have no shame of glorifying in some way the Soviet regime and occupation, which is unacceptable to the Latvian nation and the people of Latvia, we are motivated to act within the framework of the law, taking into account all possible provocations. We have involved a sufficient number of forces,” Ruks said.

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles

More

Most important