The famous national publicist Elita Veydemane has launched a campaign in the pages of Neatkarīgā to strip the highest award of the Republic of Latvia from the former Chancellor of Germany, who recently accused the Baltic states of obstructing negotiations with Putin and avoiding war.
However, there is a lack of transparency regarding awards in Latvia: "The meetings of the Order Chapter are closed, and the content of the debates held there is not subject to disclosure. This principle is strictly adhered to."
"Martiņš Dregeris, the president's advisor on communication issues, wrote to us: 'I inform you that since the restoration of Latvia's independence, one individual has been stripped of the Order of the Three Stars, which occurred after the military invasion (aggression) of the Russian Federation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. During this time, the awarded individual has harmed the reputation of Latvia and the prestige of the highest state award, which is incompatible with the status of the awarded individual. In accordance with the established Law on State Awards, the Order Chapter considers and evaluates issues related to state awards. Angela Dorothea Merkel was awarded the highest state award of Latvia during a state visit.'"
However, there are still insiders at the publication who provide some clarity on who the unworthy character is that has been deprived of our sacred relic: "The then-chancellor of the Order Chapter, Sarmīte Ēlerte, explained: 'The Order of the Three Stars – the highest state award – is awarded for special merits to the Latvian state. In the national interests of Latvia, peace and security in Europe are paramount. Russia's war against Ukraine is a violation of international law, a crime against the Ukrainian people. Petr Aven did not distance himself from the war unleashed by the Putin regime. This means support for Russian aggression and is incompatible with the highest state award of Latvia and the status of the awarded individual; this cannot be compensated by previous personal merits.'"
"Regarding Aven's distancing from Putin, opinions are controversial, but it is clear that Merkel did not distance herself from the war unleashed by Putin. However, the Order Chapter remains silent for now," summarizes E. Veydemane.
"In turn, the Cross of Recognition, which is a state award of the Republic of Latvia, awarded for outstanding love for the Fatherland and special merits in state, public, cultural, scientific, sports, and educational work, was stripped from Judge Uldis Krastiņš in 2025. Krastiņš was a judge who was awarded this state honor in 2010 by then-president Valdis Zatlers. The Order Chapter made the decision to revoke the award as facts of disgraceful conduct emerged: Krastiņš at one time convicted several freedom fighters of Latvia, even sentencing them to death.'"
The latter referred to former legionnaires accused of war crimes in the 1980s. U. Rožkalns was a member of the Supreme Court of the Latvian SSR at that time.
