All over Latvia on May 9, extensive service forces are planned to ensure public order, including the Special Tasks Battalion of the State Police. The services will work according to a special public order and security plan. According to the need and the current situation, security measures can be changed and strengthened.
The services remind that on May 9, public entertainment and festive events, meetings, marches and pickets are not allowed in Latvia, which are aimed at belittling and endangering the values of Latvia as a democratic and national state, including division of society, war, military aggression, totalitarianism or violence glorification as well as false representation of historical events. This refers to the so-called “Victory Day” and its symbolism, which is glorified and widely used in the propaganda of the Kremlin regime. The ban on holding events on May 9 is provided by the law “On the ban on holding certain public events on May 9” adopted by the Saeima in 2023.
Placing flowers in the places where the dismantled Soviet monuments were located in Latvia will be considered as glorification of these objects and military aggression, such actions will not be tolerated. Although individual laying of flowers at burial sites is not prohibited, the State Police draws attention to the fact that the increased presence of the police in these places will not necessarily mean that residents will be provided with a convenient and coordinated approach. The purpose and task of the police is to prevent threats to public order and any glorification of aggression.
At the same time, law enforcement officers remind that according to the public order and security plan, the flow of both traffic and people can be limited and regulated. Including, in accordance with the Law “On the Police”, if a threat to the protection of public safety, life, health and property of persons, possible provocations and aggravations is detected, the State Police can deny access to specific objects.
