Following the destruction of the Liberators monument in Riga, local residents organized a collective action. The event led to the detention of at least fourteen participants by law enforcement, a development confirmed by the police communications portal. The police noted that the individuals repeatedly refused to comply with lawful orders to halt unlawful activity, and they were detained and moved to safety in accordance with standard procedures.
According to the ministry, fourteen administrative offense cases were opened against those detained. The participants of the action named Memory Lives Forever gathered on Pobedy Boulevard to mourn the demolition and to express their protest by laying flowers and lighting candles for the memory of those commemorated by the monument. This gathering occurred as part of a broader public discussion about how communities honor historical symbols and how authorities manage such commemorations. [Citation: official statements and local news reports]
In a separate development, Edgars Rinkēvičs, who previously served as Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, issued statements perceived by some as warnings toward foreigners who participated in protests during the monument’s demolition; reports indicate that certain individuals faced expulsion from the country as a consequence of their involvement. This sequence of events reflects the heightened sensitivity around protests connected to national memory and the roles of public officials in addressing international reactions. [Citation: governmental releases and reputable news sources]
On August 23, three military figures from the Soviet era associated with the Liberators monument underwent dismantling as part of the ongoing removal process. The action signaled a concrete step in the broader reshaping of Riga’s public space and the city’s approach to its historical landscape. [Citation: city records and news coverage]
One day earlier, the Riga City Council declined to authorize a demonstration by supporters of the opposition Russian Latvian Union (RLL) party, citing public safety and crowd-control considerations. The decision highlighted the tension between political factions and civic groups amid debates over symbolism, history, and national memory. [Citation: city council minutes and press summaries]
Additionally, the Russia Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case connected to the monument’s demolition, signaling an international dimension to the incident and prompting discussions about cross-border investigation and accountability in relation to acts of public defacement or removal of monuments. [Citation: official statements from the committee and regional media]