14th Saeima deputy Edmunds Jurēvics decided to turn to the prosecution office over Saeima deputy Glorija Grevcova’s derogatory statements given after visiting the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Members of the National Alliance have decided to ask the parliament’s Ethics Committee to look into this situation.
The State Security Service (VVD) has also commenced its own evaluation. No comments are available at this time.
In his official request to prosecutor general Juris Stukāns, Jurēvics notes that Grevcova uploaded a video to her TikTok account. In it, the Saeima deputy explained in Russian language that she had come to «the so-called Occupation Museum». Grevcova said that facts do not match in exhibits of the museum, and that the guide was telling about «a parallel, made-up history».
«What kind of museum is this, and why was it even created? […] We looked at all exhibits, and we came to a conclusion – how we’re being fooled, oh how we’re being fooled,» said the member of For Stability, who
called the exhibits of the museum «real propaganda».
Jurēvics stresses in the letter that Grevcova’s statement «undoubtedly demonstrates the will to publicly deny the occupation of Latvia, question and belittle it. This person clearly considers the damage caused by the occupation to Latvia’s residents as unimportant and its study – unnecessary».
New Unity member invites the prosecution office to check if Grevcova’s public statements can be considered a breach of the Criminal Law.
National Alliance’s Saeima faction, meanwhile, intends to turn to the Mandates, Ethics and Submissions committee, as confirmed in the party’s post on Twitter.
Grevcova later uploaded another video to «explain and clarify» her observations. She said in the new video that the entry to the Museum of Occupation of Latvia should be free of charge, not EUR 10. This, according to her, would make it easier for anyone in the country to learn about one the most difficult periods of Latvia’s history.
She also mentioned that many facts, especially about the deportees, deaths and the repressed do not match, which is why the information provided by exhibits and the museum’s guide is narrow and limited. According to her, the photos presented as exhibits in the museum do not match presented facts. For example, death camp exhibits feature photos featuring well-dressed and happy people. She also said the dates do not match – Riga of 1930s looks exactly as it would several decades later. Grevcova told as much to the guide.
The Saeima deputy stresses in the video that she wanted to outline that the Museum of Occupation of Latvia is one of the country’s faces, which needs to be perfect. She said the country’s tragic events have to be reflected using true, clearly understandable, harsh and concrete figures. In her video, Grevcova also invited the audience to come to the museum and have a look for themselves.
Also read: Prosecutor to request Saeima’s permission to commence Grevcova’s criminal prosecution