The State Security Service (VDD) has taken over the investigation of the arson case of the Latvian Occupation Museum in a separate criminal trial, Latvian Television program “De facto” reported on Sunday.
It was confirmed to the VDD program that new circumstances were discovered during the investigation of the incident with the throwing of the combustible mixture into the Museum of Occupation, therefore a new criminal process was separated from the investigation of the State Police, which was taken over by the VDD.
The program, referring to unofficial information at its disposal, indicates that the attack was probably organized from the prison using the mobile application “Telegram”. In mid-April, the VDD conducted investigative activities in Daugavgriva prison in Daugavpils. It is suspected that one of the prisoners offered Vitaly Lukjanovic via Telegram to find persons who could attack the museum for money.
“Criminal procedural actions in Daugavgrīva prison were carried out within the framework of this criminal trial on suspicion (..) of organizing intentional damage to foreign property and providing assistance to Russia in an action directed against the Republic of Latvia in a group of persons,” VDD informed the program in a written response.
“De facto” states that at the end of February 2024, a window of the Museum of Occupation was broken with a hammer and an incendiary mixture was thrown into the director’s office. After a few days, the alleged culprits were detained and arrested. They had previously come under the radar of law enforcement in connection with drugs. The alleged arsonist is Valentin Razmerica. He allegedly agreed to Lukjanović’s offer to throw a “Molotov cocktail” into the museum. Marija Dzene, Lukyanović’s spouse, supported the crime.
“Unfortunately, I will not be able to comment on these events in more detail, but with regard to the problems associated with communication means reaching prisoners, this is not a new phenomenon. It is a reality, also elsewhere. We have to fight it,” said Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (JV ).
In the criminal proceedings of the State Police for the attack on the Museum of Occupation, two persons are still under arrest, while the third – a woman, taking into account the circumstances and risks found out in the investigation, the bail has been changed to one that is not related to deprivation of liberty, referring to the information provided by the police, the program reported.
LETA already reported that on the night of February 27, 2024, an incendiary mixture was thrown into the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the flames destroyed the museum director’s office.
After the incident, the State Police started criminal proceedings for the intentional destruction or damage of someone else’s property, if it was done by burning or in another generally dangerous way. Imprisonment of up to ten years can be applied for such an offence.
Later, three persons were arrested in this criminal case – a citizen of Latvia, who had previously come under the police’s attention in connection with drugs, a resident of Olaine, who had previously been tried for property crimes, and a resident of Olaine, who had also been under the police’s attention before. At the beginning of March, the court placed all three detainees in custody as a security measure.
Tags: VDD investigation separate criminal trial occupation museum arson case
