Latvian and German Authorities Detain 29 for Displaying Banned Soviet Symbols on Victory Day

On May 9, Latvian and German authorities detained a total of 29 people for displaying banned Soviet and Russian symbols during Victory Day celebrations. Nineteen individuals were apprehended in Latvia, while 10 were detained in Berlin amid restrictions on symbols and attire in both countries.

Why this matters: The detentions highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia and European countries over the commemoration of historical events, which can have implications for international relations and diplomacy. The restrictions on Soviet and Russian symbols also raise questions about the balance between preserving historical memory and promoting national identity.

In Latvia, police launched two criminal probes into the "justification of genocide, crime against peace, and war crimes." One man was detained for "listening to music loudly" at Salaspils Memorial, a former Nazi concentration camp site near Riga, where he played the popular Soviet song 'Zhuravli' (Cranes). Other violations in Latvia included attempts to lay flowers at dismantled war memorials and cars featuring Soviet symbols.

Meanwhile, in Berlin, a group of bikers from the 'Night Wolves' club arrived at Treptower Park, the site of a major Soviet war memorial. Despite a heavy police presence, 10 individuals were detained for various offenses, including wearing forbidden symbols and attire such as historic military uniforms and the ribbon of Saint George. Some managed to smuggle banned items through police cordons, and others reportedly insulted officers.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the ban, describing it as a manifestation of Western "cancel culture." "They are also banning the songs that Red Army soldiers were singing as they liberated Berlin... Is that normal?" Zakharova stated. She urged Berlin authorities to rescind the restrictions and "stop rewriting history."

Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, once part of the USSR, now regard their Soviet past as a foreign occupation. Laws in these countries prohibit most Soviet symbols, and World War II memorials have been removed since they declared independence in 1991. Following the start of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, several European countries have imposed similar restrictions on Russia-related symbols, including flags, Latin letters, and the ribbon of Saint George.

The detentions in Latvia and Germany on May 9 highlight the ongoing tensions and differing perspectives surrounding the commemoration of Victory Day and the use of Soviet and Russian symbols. As Zakharova's comments indicate, the restrictions have drawn criticism from Russian officials who view them as an attempt to erase historical memory.