Authorities in Latvia call for legal action following the disrespectful treatment of a memorial site
The investigation into the desecration of the memorial to the Latvian Legionnaires, which occurred on January 29, is currently ongoing. The vandalism, involving the pouring of red paint on the memorial stone "To the Defenders of the Kurzeme Fortress - Soldiers of the Latvian Legion," is believed to have been carried out by an individual in conjunction with an accomplice, allegedly on behalf of Russian special services.
This act of vandalism is considered a provocation aimed at inciting insecurity and fear within Latvian society, in line with Russian interests. The second person involved in the desecration is currently in detention in Lithuania, while the suspect currently in custody in Latvia for the same crime is a Belarusian national.
The State Security Service opened criminal proceedings on February 8, and the investigation has found that similar acts of desecration of monuments have also occurred in other Baltic States. The VDD has not disclosed the identities of the suspects at this time, but it is known that the second suspect is a dual citizen of Estonia and Russia.
Criminal prosecution is currently being initiated against the detained suspect, and the VDD cooperated closely with Lithuanian and Estonian partner services in the investigation. The suspect was detained at the border checkpoint in Pāternieki on February 8, and is remanded in custody as a precautionary measure.
It is reassuring to note that no further acts of desecration of the memorial to the Latvian Legionnaires have been reported since the initial incident. The VDD continues to work diligently to ensure the safety and security of Latvia's historical sites and its people.
- The desecration of the memorial to the Latvian Legionnaires, a act of crime, is being viewed as a provocation by Russian interests aimed at inciting insecurity within Latvian society.
- The media has been covering the ongoing investigation into the vandalism, which involves the pouring of red paint on the memorial stone, as part of their general-news and crime-and-justice sections.
- In line with the investigation, the VDD cooperated closely with Lithuanian and Estonian partner services, resulting in the detention of a suspect, a Belarusian national, at the border checkpoint in Pāternieki.
- Politics and society in Latvia have expressed concern over the acts of desecration, with the VDD assuring the continued safety and security of Latvia's historical sites and its people.
