Law enforcement officer at the monument to the Liberators of Riga. File photoMOSCOW, Aug 24In Latvia, 14 people were detained at the monument to the Liberators of Riga in Victory Park. This is stated on the website of the Metropolitan Police. Work on the dismantling of the monument to the Liberators of Riga began on August 23. During preparations for the demolition, the police detained at least six people out of fifty protesters. By evening, the authorities had demolished all three sculptures of Soviet soldiers. Information appeared in the media that after 21.00 Moscow time, hundreds of people gathered in Victory Park, some of them protested against the demolition. «Fourteen people who were repeatedly instructed to stop violating the law did not obey the lawful demands of the police. Accordingly, 14 cases of administrative offenses were initiated,” the publication notes. Law enforcement agencies added that “confrontational situations” arose among those gathered “with different beliefs”. 08/3d40836c28d113c2443f3d23cd48d3b8.jpg» />The UK opened a case due to the demolition of the monument to the Liberators of Riga Earlier, the mayor of Riga, Mārtiņš Stakis, said that the monument would be destroyed after the demolition, because the Occupation Museum did not recognize any of its parts as having artistic value. The director of the museum, Solvita Viba, said that the institution did not evaluate the monument in terms of artistic value, because it does not have such authority, and the statement of the mayor of Riga created a misunderstanding. The Latvian Parliament had previously suspended the clause of the intergovernmental agreement with Russia on the protection of monuments to Soviet soldiers, which allows dismantling monument. The legislature allowed it to be demolished after representatives of the Riga City Council voted for this decision. Latvia, along with neighboring Lithuania and Estonia, became one of the first republics of the former USSR to almost completely eradicate the Soviet legacy in monumental art. Cases of vandalism against Soviet monuments became more frequent after the start of a special operation in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, commenting on the situation with the monuments to Soviet soldiers in Latvia and Lithuania, called what is happening «an international disdain». Ordered to destroy: a monument to the liberators of the city is being demolished in Riga
On the morning of August 23, builders arrived at the monument in Victory Park, demolition began .
1 of 10
On the morning of August 23, builders drove up to the monument in Victory Park, demolition began.
Police officers were on duty at the monument, preparing for possible protests.
2 of 10
Police officers were on duty at the monument, preparing for possible protests.
Meanwhile, an excavator was working at the foot of the monument, dismantling the steps.
3 of 10
Meanwhile, an excavator was working at the foot of the monument, which dismantled the steps.
The territory was fenced off, the monument was surrounded by a fence.
The territory was fenced off, the monument was surrounded by a fence.
The defenders of the monument were forbidden to hold a protest rally.
5 out of 10
Defenders of the monument were banned from holding a protest rally.
Earlier, the mayor of Riga, Mārtiņš Stakis, said that after the demolition, the monument would be destroyed because none of its parts were recognized as having artistic value. >6 out of 10
Earlier, the mayor of Riga, Mārtiņš Stakis, said that after the demolition, the monument would be destroyed, because none of its parts were recognized as artistic value.
The day before, the Latvian police had already dispersed a protest against demolition of the monument, several people were detained.
7 out of 10
The day before, the Latvian police had already dispersed a protest against the demolition of the monument, several people were detained.
Star on the monument "To the Liberators of Riga".
8 of 10
Star at the monument "To the Liberators of Riga".
Foreigners "found in illegal and unauthorized actions during dismantling" were promised to be expelled from the country.
9 out of 10
Foreigners, "convicted of illegal and unauthorized actions during the dismantling", were promised to be expelled from the country.
Monument "To the Liberators of Riga" #34;.
10 out of 10
Monument "To the Liberators of Riga" surrounded by scaffolding.
1 of 10
On the morning of August 23, builders drove up to the monument in Victory Park, demolition began.
2 of 10
Police officers were on duty at the monument, preparing for possible protests.
3 of 10
Meanwhile, an excavator was working at the foot of the monument, which dismantled the steps.
4 out of 10
The territory was fenced off, the monument was surrounded by a fence.
5 out of 10
The defenders of the monument were forbidden to hold protest rally.
6 of 10
Earlier, the mayor of Riga, Mārtiņš Stakis, said that after the demolition, the monument would be destroyed, because none of its parts were recognized as artistic value.
7 of 10
The day before, the Latvian police had already broken up a protest against the demolition of the monument, several people were detained.
8 of 10
Star on the monument "To the Liberators of Riga".
9 out of 10
Foreigners "convicted of illegal and unauthorized actions during the dismantling" were promised to be expelled from the country.
10 out of 10
Monument surrounded by scaffolding "To the Liberators of Riga&# 34;.