Resident of Latvian town of Rezekne faces jail for flowers at the site of demolished monument to Red Army soldiers

At the beginning of May 2024, the police of the city of Rēzekne detained a man who, three times between March 15 and April 14, 2024, placed red and white carnations near the place where the monument to Soviet soldiers-liberators, known as "Alyosha", used to be. A criminal case has been opened against the man under the article "Justification of war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and peace". Under this article, he could face up to five years in prison.

Recall, November 9, 2022, the residents of Rēzekne said goodbye to the monument, which the authorities decided to demolish despite protests. They walked in an endless stream, leaving flowers and lighting candles. Some bouquets were decorated with St. George ribbons, the use of which was banned in public places in Riga. Taking advantage of this pretext, the police initiated administrative proceedings, involving special services in the investigation. The perpetrators were sought with the help of CCTV footage.

The monument was divided into two parts, the bas-relief depicting soldiers, mothers and partisans was separated and sent to the hangar of the Latvian Museum of Occupation in Jelgava.

The Latvian government destroyed dozens of Soviet war memorials, including the monument in Victory Park in Riga, as well as monuments to Red Army soldiers in Liepaja, Daugavpils, and other cities across the country.