Law enforcement officers have recorded dozens of violations in connection with attempts to mark Soviet ‘Victory Day’ in Latvia.
Many of the incidents relate to the display of banned totalitarian symbols and public declarations in support of modern-day aggressor state, Russia.
Actions such as laying flowers at places where Soviet monuments have been dismantled is now classed as glorification of these objects of occupation and military aggression. Although individual laying of flowers at actual cemeteries, such as war graves, is not prohibited, gatherings of people there are not allowed.
By 15:30 on Friday, law enforcement officers had initiated 36 administrative violation proceedings in connection with May 9 incidents.
16 incidents were recorded in Rīga, 8 in Kurzeme region, 6 in Latgale region, 4 in Zemgale region and 2 in Vidzeme region.
The use of symbols glorifying military aggression in public places and flower arrangements in the colors of the Russian flag have been recorded. This violation is punishable by a warning or a fine of up to 350 euros for an individual or up to 2,900 euros for a legal entity.
In the Riga region, there have been cases in which residents have reported to the police inscriptions in Russian painted on the walls of buildings. There have also been attempts to play songs praising military aggression or place flowers on the site of the dismantled monument in Victory Park.
However, most of the violations take the form of petty vandalism and minor public order offenses and overall, there are no serious violations, according to police chief Andris Zellis who is responsible for public order.
People actively went to lay flowers at Soviet soldiers’ graves in Rīga at Torņakalns and Pokrova cemeteries. No unauthorized actions or symbolism were noticeable there. The flow of people in both places was continuous. In Daugavpils too, flowers were being laid at a military cemetery under the watchful eye of law enforcement.
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