Bergmanis claims that there is no money even to buy rakes to clean up the graves of the Brothers

In the Subcommittee of the Saeima’s Comprehensive State Protection, the deputies critically evaluated the information provided by the Ministry of Culture (MoC) on the protection of the most important monuments in the conditions of a possible security threat, invasion.

Raimonds Bergmanis (AS), chairman of the Commission for Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention, emphasized the bad situation in relation to the practical matters of maintaining the graves of the Brothers. The politician noted that, for example, the salaries of those in charge were not paid, and there was no money even to buy rakes for cleaning the graves of the Brothers.

The representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the state budget was requested to allocate funds for crisis situation plans.

Bergmanis, however, expressed skepticism about the possibility of winning additional money, considering that even the state’s strategic reserves have not been allocated the necessary funds for years. It would be good if there were money for bags to pour sand to protect monuments during security threats, said the deputy.

Parliamentarian Jānis Dombrava (NA) negatively assessed that the Ministry of Culture could not immediately provide relevant information about the Brethren’s graves. The representative of the Ministry expressed her commitment to prepare the necessary information.

Commenting on the information provided by the CM, MP Edvīns Shnore (NA) stated that there is an impression that there is no order in this matter. The politician emphasized that clarity is needed where, for example, in the event of a Russian invasion, monuments of national importance will be taken to protect them.

The representative of the Ministry of Culture explained that, if possible, they are thinking about how to protect the monuments without moving them.

In the field of civil protection, Bergmanis pointed out that the employees of the State Fire and Rescue Service and public media should also be provided with armored vests and helmets.

In connection with the role of municipalities in civil defense, Dombrava emphasized that, for example, Rēzekne City Council would not be entrusted with information about the state’s material and technical reserves, weapons storage places.

According to the reports of the responsible institutions, the chairman of the sub-commission Igors Rajevs generally positively assessed the opportunities for municipalities to be involved in the joint implementation of civil defense and national defense plans.