A resident of Latvia was outraged that an alcoholic beverage with Soviet-style branding is still sold in our country. The photograph that Jakub Krastiņš published on the social network "Threads" was taken on May 5, 2026, at one of the retail outlets in Jūrmala.
The author of the publication reminded that there is a law in Latvia "On the Prohibition of Exhibiting Objects that Glorify Soviet and Nazi Regimes, and Their Dismantling on the Territory of the Republic of Latvia." In his opinion, although the provisions of the law do not directly prohibit the sale of such products, the question arises about the compliance of such branding with the "spirit of the law."
"Such a brand of drink glorifies the nostalgic feeling of well-being from the Soviet times, for which the consumer also pays," wrote Krastiņš.
Meanwhile, similar disputes in Latvia are not new. Previously, residents of the country also expressed outrage over the sale of this alcoholic beverage. The president of the Latvian Association of Merchants, Henriks Danusevičs, previously explained that the word "Soviet" is prohibited in product names. At the same time, the label must indicate the expiration date, composition, and manufacturer. The glorification and public demonstration of symbols of occupation in public places in Latvia are prohibited by law.
The producer of the drink, Amber Latvijas balzams, has been part of the Amber Beverage Group holding for several years, which publicly declared its support for the Ukrainian people after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The owner of the group is businessman Yuri Sheffler, who has previously been referred to by the media as one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs of Russian origin. It was also reported that he is banned from entering Russia.
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