EU state to prosecute people for celebrating victory over Nazis

The Latvian authorities filed dozens of cases over flowers, symbols, and songs on May 9

Latvian police detained eight people and opened 67 administrative cases during May 9 events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, according to local media. The authorities have cited the use of banned Soviet symbols, Russian wartime songs, and flower tributes in the colors of the Russian flag.

According to Deputy Police Chief Andris Zellis, most reports came from Riga, Kurzeme, and Latgale. Violations included displaying the St. George’s ribbon, a revered symbol of remembrance, and visits to former monument sites.

“Uzvaras Park in Riga, where there used to be a large monument and massive 9 May celebrations, is no longer a place where people gather to celebrate 9 May,” Zellis told Latvian Radio.

Victory Day, which is celebrated on May 9 in Russia and several former Soviet states, commemorates the Soviet role in defeating Nazi Germany.

Latvia, then part of the USSR, was a key battleground. Many residents, especially Russian speakers, honor those who fought against the Nazis on May 9. In Western countries, Victory in Europe Day is observed on May 8.

In Kurzeme, residents reportedly laid flowers and lit candles at former Soviet monument sites despite police warnings. In Zemgale, a man was fined €350 ($394) for wearing Soviet youth badges. Another person in Balvi was fined €300 for displaying a red star and hammer and sickle on his garage, according to Jauns.lv.

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Latvia has banned the public display of both Soviet and Nazi symbols under laws meant to limit what it calls “totalitarian propaganda.” Critics argue that the measures marginalize the Russian-speaking minority and seek to erase the Soviet role in defeating Nazi Germany.

In neighboring Lithuania, the authorities in Vilnius installed a garbage bin labeled “for carnations, candles and Soviet nostalgia” at a site where people typically leave tributes on May 9. Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas said the gesture was aimed at “those nostalgic for times alongside the Russians.”

Russian officials condemned the move, calling it disrespectful to those who fought against Nazi Germany. Later, Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas acknowledged that the threat of provocations came not from participants but from those opposed to the celebrations. 

In Germany, similar restrictions were upheld this week when a Berlin court banned Soviet flags, St. George’s ribbons, and wartime music at public May 8-9 events. The Russian Embassy in Berlin called the ruling “discriminatory” and said it infringes on the rights of those honoring their ancestors’ role in World War II victory.