Metal Hunters Loot Cemetery in Cesvaine — Graves of Notable Families and a Writer Damaged 0 14

In Cesvaine, unknown individuals desecrated several graves at the Kinderu cemetery, stealing metal elements from monuments and family tombs. This was reported by the program Degpunktā (TV3).

Among the damaged graves is that of Latvian writer and teacher Augusts Saulietis, who has rested in this cemetery since 1933.

According to representatives of the municipality, the copper letters bearing the writer's name and dates of his life were torn from the monument.

"There was an inscription in copper letters — the year of birth, A. Saulietis, and the year of death. Now all these letters are gone," said Janis Kalve, a representative of the Cesvaine municipality administration.

It later became clear that the vandals damaged not only the writer's grave. On the same day, at least two more family tombs were desecrated. A portrait was torn from the gravestone of milkman Janis Luss, and in the tomb of the ancient Greiskalns family, the criminals removed and bent the copper elements of the crosses.

For local residents, the incident has been particularly painful, as the cemetery is considered an important part of Cesvaine's history.

86-year-old Uldis Greiskalns admitted that he cannot understand the motives of people who are willing to steal even from a cemetery.

"Nothing sacred, nothing honest. All of this is gone. My dog is smarter than some people," he said.

According to residents, the criminals were likely interested specifically in non-ferrous metals. Municipality representatives fear that the stolen parts may have been attempted to be sold at a scrap metal collection point.

At the same time, solving such crimes is extremely difficult. The cemetery covers about 11 hectares, and there is no permanent security. Cemetery workers finish their work around five in the evening, after which the place is essentially left unattended.

The municipal administration has already contacted the police and warns other municipalities to be especially vigilant regarding old cemeteries and historical monuments where copper elements were used.

"It won't be cheap. The material itself is copper. The work is also not inexpensive," noted Janis Kalve, speaking about the possible restoration of the monuments.

The State Police has initiated a criminal process. Residents are asked to report any information that may help identify the criminals.

Such thefts from cemeteries occur periodically in various regions of Latvia, especially when it comes to monuments with old metal elements that have value as non-ferrous metal.

The situation in Cesvaine has once again shown that the hunt for metal affects not only economic objects but also places of memory that hold special historical and personal significance for many residents.