Minister: law enforcement institutions have a plan to prevent pompous 9 May celebrations

Latvian law enforcement institutions have a plan to prevent pompous celebration of Soviet Union’s victory in WW2 on 9 May, said Latvian Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
According to her, any celebration of 9 May in Latvia is categorically unacceptable in a time when Russia is executing a genocide in Ukraine. The minister also said a proposal has been presented to members of the coalition to mane 9 May the Day of Commemoration of Victims of Russian Aggression in Ukraine. «This would mean no public events would be possible on 9 May if it is made a day of mourning. This would be a step in the right direction, considering what we’ve seen in Bucha and other [Ukrainian] cities,» said the politician.
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When asked how Latvian interior affairs services will react if some residents do decide to publicly celebrate 9 May, Golubeva said law enforcement institutions have a plan to ensure no pompous celebration is possible. The minister refrained from commenting on the plan in detail.
At the same time, she added that Latvia’s ban on public celebration of 9 May may be covered by Russian media.
«We will look for a way to avoid and prevent provocations, make sure people comply with the law and no celebration of the Russian army takes place in Latvia that day,» promised the politician.
As previously reported, Chief of Latvian State Police Armands Ruks previously warned residents that any public gatherings on 9 May, which Russia celebrates as Victory Day, will be considered support of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Ruling politicians in Latvia have said that celebration of 9 May in Latvia this year, during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, would be categorically unacceptable.
Riga Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis has also invited the municipality’s CEO to not coordinate annual events at the monument to Soviet troops in Pārdaugava this year.
Latvia’s President Egils Levits admitted at a public discussion last week that from the viewpoint of occupants, celebration of 9 May, which is something observed in Pārdaugava and which are promoted by irresponsible politicians, is basically celebration of the occupation of Latvia.