Defacement of state flag: police detain five people in Daugavpils and Preiļi
The State Police have initiated two criminal proceedings over the past week concerning the defacement of the Latvian state flag — in Daugavpils and Preiļi. Five people have been detained in total.
State symbol defacers detained in Daugavpils and Preiļi
Last week the State Police (SP) initiated two criminal proceedings concerning the defacement of the Latvian state symbol — one in Daugavpils, the other in Preiļi, SP representatives told the portal delfi.lv.
On 21 August in Daugavpils, unidentified persons tore down the Latvian Republic state flag from its designated holder and threw it on the ground. SP officials identified the suspected perpetrators, who were detained and placed in temporary custody. Information at the police's disposal indicates that at the time of the offence, the individuals were under the influence of alcohol, and one of them recorded the incident.
On the evening of 22 August in Preiļi city, SP received information that two persons attempted to damage the Latvian Republic flag, while a third person had thrown the flag over their shoulder. According to initial information, the young people removed the flag poles from a multi-storey building. SP officials responded to the incident and detained three youths, who were also placed in temporary custody.
In both cases, criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 93 of the Criminal Law — for tearing down, tearing, breaking, destroying or otherwise defacing the Latvian state flag, as well as for public desecration of the state anthem. The penalty provided for such an offence is deprivation of liberty for a term of up to three years, temporary deprivation of liberty, probation supervision, community service, or a fine.
In the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers will clarify the motives of the detained persons. The SP reminds that no person is considered guilty until their guilt has been proven in the manner prescribed by law.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)