Latvian citizen fined for listening to songs in Russian language

Andrei, 55 years old Latvian citizen and resident of Daugavpils, was punished with a 100 euro monetary fine for listening to Russian songs on the street, Baltija portal writes.

Andrei said that on a warm summer evening he was walking along the promenade on Brugiu Street and listened to Russian songs on a speaker via Youtube. Among them were the songs "Great Russia," "Katyusha," and "Clear Ponds."

"I was born in wartime. My father named me Katyusha in honor of this song. We sang it with the whole village," says his companion Ekaterina.

"People came close to us, everyone listened, everyone liked it. But there was one, so to speak, a bad woman who followed us for a while, and then, without saying anything, near the stop "August 5" ("Vienibas Street" - ed.) began to take pictures of us on the phone. I waved my hand at her. Who knows what she's filming?" - Andrei recalls.

Two days later, he saw a wanted ad on social networks. Soon law enforcement officers came to him. A conversation was held, during which they explained to him that he could listen to his favorite songs at home, but not in public. A fine of 100 euros was imposed.

The protocol lists the offense as "use of symbols of military aggression glorifying war crimes in a public place". The permissible fine under this article ranges from 10 to 300 euros. Andrei pleaded guilty, as otherwise he faced the maximum fine.