Public gatherings on 9 May, when Russia celebrates Victory Day, will be considered support of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, said Chief of Latvian State Police Armands Ruks in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma on Thursday, 24 March.
He said it is in the hands of Riga City Council – permitting or banning public events at Victory Park. Ruks also allowed there may be people who will go to the park even if events are cancelled, since people have the freedom of movement and freedom of speech. The chief of State Police reminded that freedom of speech is not universal and cannot go against general interests.
«All kinds of scenarios are considered. We are preparing and planning accordingly. But I would like to invite people who come every year to commemorate the people who died in WWII, which is nothing bad in of itself, to understand that such gatherings and processions will be considered as support for Russia and Russian aggression,» said Ruks, adding that this may further fracture society.
Read also: Latvian PM says banning Victory Day festivities may be a nation-wide issue
He believes residents must not glorify and support the aggressor in Ukraine.
«All of the people that are on the fence about this situation, I invite to think that if they go this year, they will give power to the aggressor, who will look at what goes on in Latvia – we cannot allow this to happen,» said Ruks.
As previously reported, Riga’s Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis has invited Riga’s CEO to not issue permits for events near the monument to Soviet troops in Riga on 9 May. He said this in an interview to LTV programme De facto.
His personal opinion is that such an event should not happen and there is no place for it in Riga and Latvia.
He proposed organisers of the event to not come to the municipal administration to apply for the event. Even if the municipality fails to prohibit it, no selling, catering, audio equipment or fireworks will be allowed there.
Such an event would be considered a celebration of death, said Staķis.
Police chief: gatherings on 9 May will be considered support of Russia’s aggression
