In Riga, the demolition of the monument to Soviet soldiers began

In Riga on the morning of August 23, work began to dismantle the monument to the soldiers of the Soviet Army. This was reported by the Latvian edition of Delfi.

According to the publication, an excavator works at the foot of the monument, which dismantles the steps. The object is fenced, the fences near the monument are equipped with a light -resistant film. Police officers are also on duty at the monument, several police minibuses stand around the site.

The day before, when the monument was underway to prepare for demolition, about 50 protesters gathered at the monument, seven of them were detained.

It is assumed that the installation work will be completed by November 15. Until September 12, a movement for pedestrians and transport will be blocked near the Victory Park where the memorial is installed. The cost of work is estimated at 2.1 million euros.

• The memorial complex, which is called the monument to the soldiers of the Soviet Army - the liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the Nazi invaders, was opened in 1985. This is a 80-meter column with gold stars, near which are sculptures of Soviet soldiers and motherland.
• In May 2022, the Latvian parliament approved the bill, which suspended the 13th article of the Latvian-Russian Treaty of 1994, ensuring the safety of memorial structures. This bill has eliminated legal obstacles to the demolition of Soviet monuments. As the mayor of Riga Martins Stakis stated, the museum of the occupation was not recognized by any of the elements of the monument to Soviet soldiers with artistic value.
• The decision of the Latvian parliament was associated with the Russian invasion of Ukraine - the action of article No. 13 will be suspended before the cessation of the military operations of the Russian troops in Ukraine.
• In early August, in the capital of Finland, Helsinki dismantled the monument "Peace around the world", which the Soviet Union gave Finland in 1989. On August 18, in the Latvian city of Ikshkil, a commemorative stone was dismantled to the Soviet diplomatic courier Theodor Netta.
• The decision to eliminate Soviet monuments from the public space was also made by the Estonian government.