Riga Mayor Martins Stakis and Latvian Foreign Minister Edgar Rinkevich replaced the national flag of Belarus, which was on the square in the city center, along with the flags of other countries participating in the World Ice Hockey Championship, with a white-red-white one.
This happened the next day after an emergency landing in Minsk of a Ryanair airline, which was following the Athens-Vilnius route.
After landing, one of the founders of the NEXTA Telegram channel recognized as extremist in the republic, Roman Protasevich, was detained.
Later, the head of the aviation department of the Ministry of Transport of Belarus, Artyom Sikorsky, said that the flight made an emergency landing due to messages with threats to blow up the plane over Vilnius.
Soon after the flank was replaced, Rinkevich explained the incident on his Twitter account in Latvian and Belarusian.
According to him, this flag of "free Belarus" was "entrusted to him by political refugees from the country."
“The flag, which symbolizes the regime, state terrorism, has no place in Riga - that's why we took it off,” the politician wrote.
In turn, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the republic, Vladimir Makei, called the incident "an act of state vandalism."
“Today the Latvian Ambassador was invited to the Foreign Ministry in connection with the incident that took place in Riga.
It is associated with an insult to the state flag of Belarus.
It is very regrettable that, along with the mayor of Riga, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, a department that should work not for division, but for rapprochement of peoples, took part in it, ”Sputnik Belarus quotes Makei.
Later it became known that all employees of the Latvian Embassy in Belarus were ordered to leave the country within 24 hours.
Riga has taken similar measures.
The Belarusian Ice Hockey Federation also released an official comment on the incident.
The head of the FHB Dmitry Baskov called the replacement of the country's flag "an act of deep disrespect and unprecedented pressure."
According to him, the national team of the country in Riga "is trying in every possible way to drag it to the political platform."
“Currently, we have already sent an official note to the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation Mr. Rene Fasel, the organizing committee of the World Championship in Riga and the leadership of the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation.
Replacing the state flag of the Republic of Belarus in the pool of flags of the countries participating in the tournament and the official symbols of the championship is nothing more than an attempt to politicize the world hockey forum in Riga and directly contradicts the sporting nature of the championship, ”the FHB press service quoted Baskov as saying.
Later, the functionary stressed that the Belarusian national team did not intend to withdraw from the championship, but, on the contrary, would try to prove its worth on the hockey rink.
He also spoke about the pickets, which were staged by unknown persons near the hotel where the team lives.
“Naturally, this does not add calmness to the players before the match.
We have already contacted the IIHF, because we are concerned about the safety of hockey players, ”Sport24 quotes Baskov.
In turn, his colleague, former world boxing champion Nikolai Valuev, considers the decision to replace the official flag of Belarus with an opposition banner abnormal.
“The mayor can declare whatever he wants.
I do not consider this action normal.
Nobody has the right to do this.
Such a flag of Belarus simply does not exist.
Let the opposition go out on the ice and play opposition hockey in Latvia ”, - quotes the words of Valuev“ Sport-Express ”.
The deputy also expressed his indignation at the fact that Belarusian hockey players are actually offered to perform under an outside banner that has nothing to do with the country.
“The opinion of the mayor of any European city is just his opinion and it will remain so,” Valuev added.
Finally, the four-time Olympic champion in biathlon Alexander Tikhonov called this act "absolute bestiality."
“It's a shame just.
They gave them the World Cup, and they are making a political scandal.
See what games are held there ?!
Our veterans play hockey better.
What kind of hockey is this - no power struggle, no emotions, ”Sport24 quotes Tikhonov.
In addition, the Latvian side replaced the Russian flag that was on the square with the ROC flag.
According to State Duma Deputy Dmitry Svishchev, the actions of the Latvian side are "sheer arrogance or provocation."
“The moment is very important.
You need to figure it out.
Because there is a CAS decision on symbols during major sporting events, including the World Championships and the Olympic Games, which prohibits the placement of the flag and the use of the anthem and other paraphernalia of the Russian Federation.
But as for the flags on the territory of the city, I have not heard this, "- quotes Svishchev" SE ".