After 62 people lost their lives as a FlyDubai flight crashed in Rostov-on-Don, municipal policeman Jānis Bruševics commented on Facebook that "It's not a big deal, as most of them were Russian citizens."
The police reacted quickly, initiating disciplinary proceedings that will result firing the policeman.
"I would like to express regret about such an action on part of a Rīga Municipal Police employee. It cannot in any way be related to the principle guiding the Municipal Police. And [the principle] is that a policeman has to treat every person equally, regardless of their ethnicity, political [stance], or nationality.
Sadly this case has damaged trust in the Municipal Police, and I would like to apologize for this situation," Municipal Police chief Juris Lūkass told Latvian Television.
Asked whether the policeman will be fired, Lūkass said: "Yes, I hold that opinion."
The policeman in question has deleted the comment and his Facebook profile. He has apologized and expressed condolences to the relatives of those who died in the crash.
If legal proceedings are initiated for inciting hatred, the policeman can face up to three years in prison, short-term imprisonment, community service, or a fine.
