Russian embassy in Latvia calls to punish those who vandalized monument to Soviet soldiers

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Press office of the Russian embassy in Latvia has released a response of Russian Ambassador Viktor Kalyuzhny to a question of Latvian reporters about vandalizing monuments in Liepaya and Bejukrogs on August 22 and 23, reports a REGNUM correspondent. The question was what measures the embassy plans in connection with the fact that two recently restored monuments and Liepaya and Bejukrogs were vandalized.

As Viktor Kalyuzhny said, “first of all, we intend to claim that search for those to blame and their punishment was launched, and the memorial plates be cleaned.” Such obligation of the state is envisaged not only by the Russian-Latvian agreement of 1994, but is common international practice, said the ambassador. Besides, Kalyuzhny stressed it was not the first case of vandalizing monuments dedicated to World War II in Latvia, however, those who did it usually escape responsibility.

“It is hard to give up the idea that such mean actions of malefactors became frequent not occasionally. As you know, within last two years, the Russian-Latvian relations have intensified, certain ways to solve many problematic issues took shape, a dialog between leadership of our countries started. However, in Latvia, as well as abroad, there are probably forces that are not interested in improving our bilateral relations with neighboring Latvia. They know it perfectly well that in Russia the memory of the soldiers killed in the war is sacred, so, in my opinion, these are monuments that became objects of vandalism. The aim of the actions is evident: to stir public opinion in Russia on this sensitive issue and hamper the outlined rapprochement in our relations,” the ambassador noted.

Viktor Kalyuzhny expressed confidence that “most Latvians are indignant at the actions of vandals, who will not succeed in hampering the gradual development of the relations between Russia and Latvia.” He also expressed hope that “Latvian official authorities will resolutely condemn such escapades that do not lie within the notion of the European values.”