Police in Riga have completely restricted access to the monument in Victory Park, as confirmed by State Police.
On Wednesday, 11 May, Latvian State Police decided to completely restrict access to the monument in Victory Park. Officials reference the Law on Police as the main reasons, as well say that this is a measure to «prevent risks to safety, health, lives and private property and prevent possible provocations and violations».
Part 15 of Section 12 of the Law on Police states that police officers have the right to temporarily restrict or suspend transport or pedestrian traffic on streets and roads, as well as the entry or exit of persons in specific places or facilities, if such is required in the interests of public safety, saving lives of persons, protection of health and property, as well as investigation.
This decision was made due to events of Monday and Tuesday, when many people gathered at the monument in Victory park, stresses State Police. Authorities mention that among the people who gathered at the monument on Tuesday were those who participated in
activities that basically glorified the Soviet regime and the modern Russian regime. Because of this, police had to involve the State Police Special Operations Battalion.
Police also considered the possible development of the situation, as well as violations for which certain people were detained and administrative and criminal procedures commenced in relation to committed violations. Police have yet to report the numbers and related information about the scope of detainment and procedures.
Police claim State Police is prepared for any scenarios, promising to ensure public order and safety.
The monument was still accessible before 09:00 a.m. this morning.
Chief of Latvian State Police Armands Ruks admitted in an interview to TV3 on Wednesday, 11 May, that the police were not prepared for what happened on 10 May, because there were no indications on social media that someone was planning «another 9 May», and so the police were not prepared to deploy more officers in Pārdaugava.
Ruks mentioned that police plan to commence procedures in relation to well-known public figures that invited residents to gather at the monument.
According to him, the situation escalated when flowers left at the monument on 9 May were removed in the morning on 10 May. From there on police had to deal with unexpected consequences. The chief of police denied the claim that it was State Police that were the ones who suggested removing the flowers. He claims it is an issue within the competence of Riga City Council.
Police have commenced an internal investigation to assess the responsibility of police officials and their decisions in specific situations.
Ruks understands the more patriotic residents’ condemnation of the activity surrounding the monument, since to them it represents occupation, but he nonetheless invites people to calm down, because all the enemy wants is for society to split internally.
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The capital city’s CEO Jānis Lange insists the removal of flowers was an act that was coordinated with the police and was part of the general security plan.
According to him, removal of flowers with a tractor was not the best solution. However, Lange reminded that gathering for 9 May this year basically meant glorification of Russian aggression.
Lange stressed that the situation surrounding the monument is an issue of public order and national security.
Commenting on the developments in Victory park, Latvian Minister of the Interior Marija Golubeva wrote on Twitter that those who glorified aggression or used supporting symbols have been detained. One of them was a youngster with Russian flag. ‘Police defended the rights of Latvian citizens, using force whenever necessary,’ stressed the politician.
Golubeva told TV3 that the gathering of Latvian residents on 10 May was not planned in advance. Police did not stop residents at first, because they only came to lay flowers. Police started stepping in and detaining people closer to the evening, when some people started acting more demonstratively and started using symbols that glorify Russia’s aggression.
In spite of the backlash, Golubeva does not believe she is at risk of dismissal. The reason is because she believes police ensured residents complied with the law.
Bad or unethical behaviour is not a violation of the law. Police had no reason to turn on the people who came to the monument in Pārdaugava, said the politician.
The minister allowed that reaction from the police could have come sooner yesterday, but she does not believe there is any reason to assess the work of the management of Latvia’s police.
What happened at the monument is a reflection of the mood in society, added Golubeva.
The Saeima faction of the National Alliance plans to meet with Golubeva and the management of State Police, as confirmed by the faction’s leader Raivis Dzintars. The political party expects and explanation as to what happened on 10 May, as well as «a convincing vision to prevent it from repeating in the future». «What happened in Pārdaugava is a challenge for Latvia,» Dzintars claims.
Latvia’s Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš expects an explanation from Golubeva about the situation surrounding the Victory Monument and how police allowed several hundred people to gather and glorify the Soviet and Russian army.
Kariņš wrote on Twitter on Tuesday evening that showing disrespect towards the statehood of Latvia, historical experience and victims of Russian-Ukrainian war is unacceptable.
«What happened in Pārdaugava is inexcusable,» the PM wrote, adding that he expects explanations for authorities and Golubeva.
Conservative Party has also come forth with demands for explanations. The party’s representative Saeima member Krišjānis Feldmans wrote on Twitter that his political party demands explanations from Golubeva in regards to possible failure to prevent violations. The party also invites the PM to call an extraordinary meeting of the coalition to discuss this topic.
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