Three young men charged with arson at cemetery building in Daugavpils
State Police have completed an investigation into the arson of a utility building at the Municipal Cemetery in Daugavpils. Three young men, born in 2004 and 2005, have been referred to the prosecutor's office.
Utility building and graves damaged in arson at Daugavpils cemetery—case referred to prosecutor
State Police have completed an investigation into the arson of a utility building and grave plots at the Municipal Cemetery in Daugavpils. Three men have been detained on suspicion of committing the offence—two born in 2005 and one born in 2004.
According to information provided by vp.gov.lv, on the morning of 11 September 2025, officials from the South Latgale district received a report that persons had set fire to a utility building on the Municipal Cemetery premises, in which various tools and grave maintenance equipment were stored. Entry to the building was gained through a window.
Officials from Daugavpils municipal police assisted in identifying those suspected. As a result of pre-trial investigation and operational search measures, all three men were detained. According to information available to police, at the time of the offence they were under the influence of alcohol.
The investigation established that one of the men born in 2005, upon seeing that the building was being deliberately set on fire, did not report it, although he had the opportunity to do so. He acted in order to help the others avoid responsibility. None of the three had previously come to the attention of State Police.
Criminal proceedings were initiated under several articles of the Criminal Law. Under Article 185, Part 2—for intentional destruction or damage of another's property through arson; this offence carries a sentence of up to ten years' imprisonment. Under Article 228, Part 2—for desecration of a grave or burial, committed by a group of persons under prior agreement; the penalty is up to three years' imprisonment. Under Article 315, the man who failed to report the offence being committed faces a penalty of up to two years.
On 29 May 2026, officials from the Investigation Department of the South Latgale district completed the investigation and referred the criminal case to the prosecutor's office for the initiation of criminal prosecution.
State Police reminds the public that no person shall be considered guilty unless their guilt is proven in the manner prescribed by law.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)