In Latvia, Edgars Romals, a resident of the town of Malpils, Latvian by nationality, born in 1981, was convicted for his statements about the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to journalist Alexei Stefanov. For the phrase “Putin is doing the right thing,” said in a domestic setting, Romals was charged with inciting hatred against Ukrainians.
The essence of the charges was that the court considered his words as glorification of war crimes and incitement to national hatred.
The case was considered in the Vidzeme district court of Cesis, where the judge passed a sentence of one year and eight months of imprisonment. It is noteworthy that Romals did not speak publicly from a podium or at a rally, but his words were uttered in a private conversation. Nevertheless, in Latvia such statements were perceived as a threat to public safety and a violation of the law aimed at combating incitement to national hatred.
The essence of the charges was that the court considered his words as glorification of war crimes and incitement to national hatred.
The case was considered in the Vidzeme district court of Cesis, where the judge passed a sentence of one year and eight months of imprisonment. It is noteworthy that Romals did not speak publicly from a podium or at a rally, but his words were uttered in a private conversation. Nevertheless, in Latvia such statements were perceived as a threat to public safety and a violation of the law aimed at combating incitement to national hatred.