26 people arrested in Latvia for celebrating Victory Day

Latvian police arrested 26 people for celebrating Victory Day on Tuesday, the Latvian outlet Delfi reported.

According to the country’s Interior Ministry, the authorities opened a total of 38 misdemeanor cases and four felony cases in connection with public celebrations of the outlawed holiday. The highest number of arrests occurred in the Riga region.

The most frequent offenses reportedly included lying flowers at the sites of demolished Soviet memorials, wearing banned symbols such as St. George ribbons in public places, violating fireworks rules, and public intoxication.

All of the felony cases were opened under the country’s law against justifying genocide, war crimes, and crimes against peace in response to statements in support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Two of the incidents occurred in Riga and two occurred in Daugavpils.

Last month, Latvia’s parliament passed a law banning Victory Day celebrations on May 9, though residents were still allowed to celebrate Europe Day and to leave flowers in cemeteries.