Latvian State Police dispersed the last groups of people who gathered at Victory Park in Riga. Several people were detained using force, as reported by the police.
Police report that most of the people were dispersed by 22:30. Police continued ‘working’ with those who remained. In some cases police had to use force to detain people.
By 22:00 police found at least three persons using symbols that glorify military aggression and war – ribbon of St. George. Administrative procedures were commenced. Road traffic in the vicinity of the park is restricted for the time being.
Shortly before 22:00 there were many candles left at the monument. The number of people present had reduced significantly by then.
In the evening on Tuesday, 10 May, hundreds of people gathered in Victory Park, some were behaving loudly, singing and playing music, glorifying Russia and the victory of the Soviet Army. Police did not interfere.
About half a thousand people had gathered in Victory Park on Tuesday evening. Many of them left flowers at the monument and remained in the area for some time. Many people were seen standing in place in the park. Police did not interact with them much and did not invite them to disperse and leave.
A couple of youngsters were seen holding the Russian flag in their hands and were playing a traditional Russian song, to which many people sang along. Police did not interfere.
Every now and then people at the monument called out slogans glorifying the Soviet Army, causing applaud form many other people present there. Many people behaved loudly, some were seen in an inebriated stated. Many other people remained quiet and behaved themselves.
In spite of the fact that municipal services had already removed the flowers residents brought to the monument the day before, people who came on Tuesday brought even more flowers, which remain at the monument.
In the evening on Tuesday police continued patrolling the territory of Victory Park and the monument’s immediate vicinity to ensure public order. Residents are asked to not escalate the situation and avoid provocations or physical confrontations.
Police claim they are prepared to respond to prevent use of symbols that glorify military aggression and war crimes, incitement to hatred, acts of hooliganism and other threats to public safety and order. Police also record people’s behaviour using special equipment. Footage will be checked and evaluated later, police promise.
A video posted on social media shows a man tossing away flowers left by residents at the monument, prompting aggression from the people who gathered there. Police say they had to step in immediately to prevent a physical confrontation, de-escalate the situation and prevent violence. The man was delivered to a police department to explain his actions, which clearly provoked other people to an aggressive response. An inspection of the situation has commenced.
There was also a video showing a car parked near Victory Park playing loud music that glorified Russia – an administrative procedure has commenced and the person will be brought to justice, police promise.
Police remind that the prohibition to use fireworks remains in force. Violation of this prohibition is punishable with a fine of up to EUR 350 for private persons and up to EUR 1 400 for legal persons. Use of symbols that glorify military aggression and war crimes in a public place is punishable with an administrative penalty of up to EUR 360 for private persons and up to EUR 2 900 for legal persons.
Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš expects an explanation from Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva about this situation. The PM wrote on Twitter in the evening on Tuesday that any disrespect of the statehood of Latvia, historical experience and the victims of the Russian-Ukrainian war is unacceptable. «What happened in Pārdaugava is inexcusable,» Kariņš wrote, adding he expects explanations from authorities and Golubeva.
Police in Riga disperse last people gathered at Victory Park; several detained
