Currently, the State Police (GP) has no signs of increased security risks in Latvia on May 9 in connection with the planned celebrations of "Victory Day" in Russia; however, law enforcement agencies remain vigilant to be ready to act if necessary, stated the head of the GP, Armands Ruks, in an interview with the TV3 program "900 Seconds," according to LETA.
He confirmed that as May 9 approaches, law enforcement and security agencies are maintaining regular communication and planning human resources to ensure order. It should be noted that this year May 9 falls on a weekend, so people will have "more time for manifestations, so there will be enough work in any case," noted the head of the police.
In response to a question about whether the police will be prepared and how they will react if, for example, the celebration of the Russian "Victory Day" is moved to the courtyards of residential areas, Ruks stated that the police will not tolerate this in any way and will act strictly and decisively in accordance with the law.
The head of the State Police urged people to be aware of the time we live in and reminded that the celebration of May 9 is often associated with the possible influence of unfriendly states, rather than with the remembrance and honoring of historical events.
It was previously reported that for decades, May 9 has been celebrated at the initiative of Russia to commemorate the victory of the Red Army over Nazi Germany in World War II. In Latvia, part of society still adheres to the tradition of celebrating the so-called Victory Day; however, this date in Eastern Europe is associated with the occupation and annexation of the Baltic states as part of the USSR.
