The people who think about coming to Victory Park on 9 May to lay flowers should keep in mind that Russian propaganda will use them for stories about people supporting the Kremlin, said Chief of Latvia’s State Police Armands Ruks in an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds on 28 April.
He said that State Police together with other law enforcement institutions are preparing for 9 May. Authorities are aware of increased risk of provocations. State Police invite residents to report cases of glorification or justification of war, as well as use of banned symbols, adding that residents have to keep in mid that all residents are responsible for state security regardless of their nationality.
Ruks explained this time there is a serious risk of provocations. Those who plan those provocations have to keep in mind that State Police will act decisively and will change its traditional approach.
He said people that will come to the monument in Victory Park, will be «pulled into the propaganda machine».
«Russian propaganda officers will film people at the moment and will present them on Russian TV as Russia’s supporters,» warned the chief of State Police.
State Police has seen many cases when people urge others to come to Victory Park for 9 May in spite of warnings. Ruks stressed that every person who believes 9 May is ‘some victory day’ and liberation from Germany’s Nazi rule should also remember that occupation of Latvia started soon after.
Ruks also stressed that State Police has and will never have any tolerance of justification of war, warning that those who do this will be brought to justice.
«There are many different symbols people paint around the city at night. Frequently the ones responsible for that are either minors or drunk people,» said the chief of State Police, adding that this situation is a serious challenge for law enforcers.
«I can confidently say the situation will be under our control. We cannot immediately prevent any crime in a second, we cannot put a police officer to any Z symbol painted around and hold long investigations. We do what we can, and people will be brought to justice,» said the chief of State Police.
«There is no and will be no tolerance of justification of war.»
As previously reported, Riga City Council refused to approve any of the events submitted for 9 May within Victory Park’s area.
The event traditionally organised on 9 May by 9.maijs.lv association was submitted to the city council for approval. At the start of April BNN reported Riga municipal administration refused to issue a permit for this event. Additionally, the Saeima has recently amended Law on the Safety of Public Entertainment and Festivity Events, banning such an event entirely.
There were three other events submitted for approval to be held in Victory Park. Two of them were intended to honour the people who died fighting Germany in WWII. One event was intended to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
«None of these events were approved due to security reasons. One of the organisers had withdrawn their application,» said Riga City Council representative Edīte Matuseviča.
It was also reported that at the start of April the Saeima passed in the final reading the Law on the Day Commemoration of Victims in Ukraine. Under this law 9 May becomes this day of commemoration this year.
The Saeima also prohibited the sale and use of fireworks on 9th and 10th of May 2022.
Read also: PHOTO | Cracks in the cellar – Victory Monument in Riga fenced off for safety reasons
No public festivities and celebrations will be allowed to be organised by state and municipal institutions this day and municipal administrations will not issue permits for any public event. Municipal administrations will have to annul permits issued for any events previously approved for 9 May even if permits were issued before the law came to force.
It is also decided municipal administrations have the right to prohibit gatherings, processions and protests, except for cases when the aforementioned activities meet the purpose of the day of commemoration.
The law will lose its force 11 May 2022.
Additionally, Riga City Council reported in April that the monument complex located in Victory Park is no longer safe, and had the area partially fenced off.