The Russian Embassy sent a note of protest to the Latvian Foreign Ministry after the start of the demolition of the monument to the liberators of Riga. 

“We regard this barbaric Russophobic trick, which was approved by the top leadership of the republic, as another act of vandalism at the state level, flagrant arbitrariness and desecration of the memory of hundreds of thousands of Soviet soldiers, including Russians, Latvians and representatives of other fraternal peoples, who fought shoulder to shoulder and won in a deadly battle with absolute evil - fascism, having defended the right to exist for Latvia and the entire European continent, ”the official Telegram channel of the embassy reports. 

The diplomatic mission also noted that those who disagree with the actions of the top leadership “are immediately labeled ‘threats to national security’ and condemned the actions of the Latvian police, which rudely detained all those outraged by what was happening.

At the same time, the first persons of the state threaten the protesters with expulsion from the country, deprivation of the right to permanent residence in Latvia, as well as criminal prosecution. 

“We call on the international profile structures and the entire human rights community to stop covering up the Latvian regime, guided by the principle “you can get away with it,” and, finally, to give an adequate assessment of the frankly unacceptable situation with the preservation of the historical and memorial heritage in this European country,” the note says. .

Russian diplomats pointed out that the Latvian authorities not only neglect the norms of behavior accepted in the civilized world, but also violate international obligations. 

The diplomatic mission demanded to stop "police arbitrariness and persecution for political and ideological reasons of ordinary residents of the republic who openly express their opinion."

The Russian side reminded the Latvian authorities of the principle of reciprocity in diplomacy, saying that Moscow reserves the right to retaliate.

Commenting on the demolition of the monument, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said that the Latvian authorities continue their course towards "consistent destruction of the sacred memory of those who died in the struggle for the freedom and independence of the peoples of Europe from the fascist yoke."

“The destruction of the Monument to the soldiers of the Soviet Army – the liberators of Riga and Latvia from the Nazi invaders is unacceptable for a civilized country, which Latvia is trying to position itself as, is a blatant act of mockery of the memory of the soldiers who liberated the world from the “brown plague,” she said.

The dismantling of the monument began on 23 August.

At the same time, protests began against the demolition of the monument, during which the Latvian police detained 14 people.

Cases of administrative violations were initiated against them.

The Russian embassy began issuing visas to those who were detained during the protests near the monument to the liberators of Riga, so that they could leave the republic and find asylum in the Russian Federation.

"Dismantling in the most savage forms"

Mikhail Vanin himself spoke about the incident to Russia in Latvia.

“The situation in Victory Park is ominous.

Enormous police forces are drawn up to the monuments to the Liberators of Latvia and Riga, there is a reinforced police special forces ... It is being done in the most defiant, disgusting, I would say, insulting form for our country, for all Russians.

From the very beginning, the decision was made to make this demolition, this dismantling in the most savage forms,” the diplomatic representative said on the air of the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

The sculpture "Motherland" broke during the demolition.

The video, which was published by the TVNET portal, recorded how heavy equipment pushes the statue from the pedestal.

The diplomat noted that the demolition of the sculpture to the soldiers-liberators and the Motherland statue took place despite the embassy's requests not to do so.

Earlier, the Latvian authorities also ignored the requests of the heads of some regions of Russia to transfer monuments to Russia.

The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case

On August 23, the Investigative Committee, on behalf of the head of the department, Alexander Bastrykin, opened a criminal case into the demolition of the monument to soldiers-liberators in Riga.

A criminal case has been initiated under Art.

243.4 (“Destruction or damage to military graves, as well as monuments, steles, obelisks, other memorial structures or objects perpetuating the memory of those killed in defense of the Fatherland or its interests, or dedicated to the days of military glory of Russia”).

The Investigative Committee noted that such actions of the Latvian leadership are directed against the interests of Russia.

Earlier, the mayor of Riga, Mārtiņš Stakis, said that the monument would be destroyed after the demolition, as the Latvian Occupation Museum did not find elements of artistic value in it.

At the same time, the director of the museum, Solvita Viba, said that the institution does not have sufficient authority to conduct an assessment, and therefore did not conduct an examination.