Latvia’s Freedom Monument was not damaged in the riots caused by fans of Dutch football team “Ajax”, as confirmed by National Cultural Heritage Board (NKMP) on X.
The NKMP notes that the inspector from the office inspected the Freedom Monument. NKMP confirms the monument was not damaged in the riots caused by football fans on Thursday. For complete confidence, the NKMP monument will also be surveyed during the day, when there is more light.
Fans of the Dutch football club “Ajax” staged a riot in the centre of Riga on Thursday night. Previously, there were concerns that the Freedom Monument had been damaged with firecrackers.
People reported on social media that several hundreds of fans at the Freedom Monument were rioting, firing fireworks that hit both people and the Freedom Monument, causing damage to it.
Latvian Television (LTV) reported that LTV journalist Dāvids Freidenfelds suffered a violent attack from fans of the Dutch club. According to the journalist, he got close to fans of the Dutch club, his phone was stolen, then he was kicked off his feet. Then the attackers let him go, without the journalist suffering more serious injuries.
Chief of State Police Armands Ruks told Latvian Radio on Friday morning that Dutch football fans were ruled and restrained as law enforcers tried to balance their actions, so this morning there are no reports of damage as severe as seen in other countries, such as burning.
More than 2 250 Amsterdam Ajax fans had planned to attend the game, RFS previously announced on X. Ajax fans have a reputation for being active and aggressive fans.