Defacement of Latvian flag in Daugavpils and Preiļi – police open two criminal cases
The State Police's Latgale region office has opened two criminal cases within a week for defacing Latvia's state symbol. Several people involved have been detained, including three young people from Preiļi.
Flag torn down from holder in Daugavpils, three young people detained in Preiļi
Within one week, the State Police have initiated two criminal cases in Latgale for defacing Latvia's state symbol, Apollo reports.
On 21 August, police received information that unidentified persons had torn down the Latvian Republic's state flag from its designated holder in Daugavpils and thrown it to the ground. Officials from the State Police's Latgale region office South Latgale district responded immediately — the suspected perpetrators were identified, detained and placed in temporary detention.
Information available to police indicates that the persons involved were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence. Furthermore, one of them filmed the incident.
On the evening of 22 August, two unidentified persons attempted to damage the Latvian Republic's flag in the city of Preiļi, whilst a third person had placed a flag across their shoulder that was attached to a flag pole. Initial information suggests that the young people removed flag poles with flags from apartment buildings. Officials from the State Police's Latgale region office North Latgale district swiftly identified the suspected perpetrators — three young people were detained on suspicion.
In both cases, criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 93 of the Criminal Law — for tearing down, tearing, breaking, destroying the Latvian state flag or otherwise defacing state symbols, as well as for public defacement of the national anthem. The maximum penalty is imprisonment of up to three years, short-term imprisonment, probation supervision, community service, or a fine.
During the investigation, law enforcement will clarify the motives of the detained persons in both incidents. The State Police remind that no person is considered guilty until their guilt is proven in the manner provided by law.
Source: Apollo