[ad_1]
“For freedom!” Chanted the protesters, gathered in the largest demonstration in the Baltic countries since 2009, urging Prime Minister Krishny Military to resign and the parliament to abandon the stricter rules on COVID-19.
Most of the protesters did not wear protective masks during the march, during which they walked past the residences of the president and prime minister. Current restrictions do not require protective masks at outdoor events.
Authorities said provocative behavior by protesters was observed during Wednesday’s protest, and the State Police launched a criminal case for assaulting a police officer.
Approximately 200 people around 7 pm The local (and Lithuanian) moment arrived at the Freedom Monument, led by politician Ainars Sleseris, whose team announced plans to establish a new party “First of all – Latvia” (LPV). As the crowd grew, the protesters marched towards Riga Castle.
Aldis Guobzem, a member of the Saeima opposition, was also invited to the rallies.
After several political speeches, the organizers led the crowd towards the Freedom Monument, but the protesters did not stay there and immediately went to the nearby government building. Larger police forces gathered alongside him. On the way, a crowd of people blocked traffic on the road, but the police did not intervene.
At approximately 10 pm the organizers of the picket urged the protesters to disperse. Some participants left, but a significant number of people remained in small groups.
Approaching 11 pm there were still many people in the government, but around midnight they dispersed and the police helped clear the road in the center of Riga Street.
At the official end of the rally, aggressive and provocative actions by protesters were observed. Someone near the government building was reported to have broken the glass on a State Police car.
Later, another protester fired a firecracker and some burned smoking firecrackers. BNS correspondents also noticed people who probably drank alcohol. The police questioned the offenders, but no one was arrested.
According to state police, officers filmed what was happening using cameras and drones to capture the criminals.
During the event, various infractions were identified: non-compliance with epidemiological security measures, drunkenness in a public place, acts of a hooligan character, intentional damage to property, as well as assault by a police officer. Criminal proceedings have been initiated for this latest offense.
Organizers had initially requested permission for three protests, but then all were withdrawn. By Tuesday afternoon, an application had been reapplied and permission to host a public event had also been requested.
Police said they saw a high risk of provocations and an escalation of violence and urged people not to participate in the protests. Law enforcement officials also stressed the importance of complying with all epidemiological safety regulations.
1.9 million on Wednesday. 180 new cases of coronavirus infection were reported in a country with a population of 140,505, reaching a total of 140,505. Since the start of the pandemic in Latvia, 2,566 people have died from COVID-19.
To date, more than 43 percent. of the country’s population received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 38 percent. is fully vaccinated.
