MOSCOW, Nov 18 The government of Latvia has decided to demolish the monument to one of the founders of the republic to Nikolai Svemp due to bureaucratic confusion, Sputnik reports.
In 1918, as a delegate of the People's Council, Svemp voted for the proclamation of an independent Republic of Latvia. During the Second World War, he helped Latvian partisans fighting against the Nazis.
“Formally, in the list of the Cabinet of Ministers, where the monument is number 44, it is designated as a monument to two Latvian partisans – Imants Sudmalis and Maldis Skree,” it says in the material.
According to the author of the article, the Latvian authorities decided to demolish the monument, not knowing that it was dedicated to Svemp.
Earlier, the Latvian parliament suspended the operation of a clause of an intergovernmental agreement with Russia on the protection of monuments to Soviet soldiers.
Latvia, along with neighboring Lithuania and Estonia, became one of the first republics of the former USSR that almost completely eradicated the Soviet legacy in monumental art. Cases of vandalism against Soviet monuments became more frequent after the start of the special operation in Ukraine.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, commenting on the demolition of the monument to the soldiers of the Soviet Army in Latvia, said that such actions have a negative impact on Russian-Latvian relations. builders arrived in Victory Park, demolition began.
1 of 10
On the morning of August 23, to the monument in Builders arrived 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.
< br>
Meanwhile, an excavator was working at the foot of the monument, dismantling the steps.
3 from 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.
4 of 10
The area was fenced off, the monument was surrounded by a fence.
Defenders of the monument were banned from holding a protest rally.
5 of 10
Defenders of the monument were banned from holding 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 the demolition of the monument, several people were detained.
7 of 10< p>The day before, the Latvian police had already dispersed a protest against the demolition of the monument, several people were detained.
A star on the monument to the Liberators of Riga.
8 of 10
A star on the monument to the Liberators of Riga.
Foreigners «convicted of 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 dismantling» were promised to be expelled from the country .
Monument to the Liberators of Riga surrounded by scaffolding.
10 out of 10
Monument to the Liberators of Riga surrounded by scaffolding.
1 out 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 out of 10
Meanwhile, an excavator was working at the foot of the monument, dismantling the steps.
4 out of 10
The territory was fenced off, the monument was surrounded by a fence.
< br>5 out of 10
The defenders of the monument were banned from holding a protest rally.
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 not recognized as artistic value.
7 of 10
The day before, the Latvian police had already dispersed a protest against the demolition of the monument, several people were detained.
8 of 10
A 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.< /p>
10 of 10
Surrounded by building blocks esami monument to the Liberators of Riga.