The Latvian authorities began to dismantle the Soviet Victory Monument in The capital, Riga. construction workers removed Several giant bronze statues of the monument on Tuesday that was surrounded by a protective screen and a dam off by the police.
It hasn’t happened yet clear When the Soviet star was 79 meters high, the upper tapering column will be completely demolished. Preparations are underway waybut the city says Explosives will not be used. Anything glorifying totalitarian regimes must be dismantled by November 15, according to a Latvian parliamentary resolution. The regulation specifically deals with demolition of Soviet Victory Monument. However, Russia strongly protested this.
The monument was erected in 1985 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Soviet victory in World War II over Hitler’s Regime as a Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German fascist invaders.
Latvia was occupied alternately between Germany and the Soviet Union during World War II. After the war ended, the Baltic state was an unwilling part of Soviet Union until 1991. Therefore, most Latvians see the monument as not a symbol of win over over Hitler, but of The renewed occupation of their country by the Soviet Union.
In the monument, residents of Rus-born of Latvia celebrates every year in Russian holiday Victory Day on May 9. about 25% of The population he is made up of of Russian origin. many of people They got caught on Monday evening during a smallUnauthorized protest against demolition of the monument.
