On Tuesday, 22 March, Latvian Saeima’s Legal Affairs Committee passed amendments that provide for administrative penalty for public use of «V» and «Z» in Latvia. These two symbols are generally associated with Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Amendments were initially submitted by members of the Union of Greens and Farmers Viktors Valainis, Uldis Augulis, Edgars Tavars, Didzis Šmits, Armands Krauze, Janīna Jalinska, Gundars Daudze, Jānis Vucāns, Māris Kučinskis and Raimonds Bergmanis.
They proposed applying criminal liability for public use of the aforementioned symbols. Later, however, deputies withdrew their proposal and decided to vote in favour of a more detailed proposal, which provided administrative liability for public use of «V» and «Z».
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Although the legislative draft does not list the specific symbols, Valainis explained it is about banning symbols used by Russian armed forces in Ukraine, such as «V» and «Z».
The politician stressed the amendments will serve as a clear signal that use of those symbols is not allowed.
Eight members of the committee voted in favour of the proposals and four abstained in the vote.
Latvian Saeima to prohibit public use of symbols of Russian invasion in Ukraine
