On 9 May, access to Victory Park will be controlled

The Riga City Council rejects the information made public that access to Victory Park will be prohibited on 9 May. Access to the monument will be partially restricted, but it will not be closed; that is, visitors will be able to enter the area in a controlled manner and lay flowers, the Riga City Council emphasises.

To prevent crowds from forming, the movement of people in the area around the monument will be monitored and controlled by the State Police and the Riga Municipal Police. Barriers will be used to partially cordon off the area around the monument; their purpose is to ensure more effective control of the flow of people. Residents will be able to enter Victory Park in a controlled manner.

The security measures will be implemented according to a plan drawn up by the State Police.

In view of the epidemiological situation, events such as concerts, trading and others will not take place in Victory Park this year. At the municipality’s request, the organisers have also withdrawn the applications for the rallies planned near the monument on 9 May. The municipality urges people to act responsibly, avoid crowds, comply with the requirements in force, not remain in Victory Park for a long time, follow police instructions, and not endanger themselves or others.

The situation was also explained to the political factions of the municipality, which had expressed interest in this matter. On Wednesday, 5 May, representatives of the Riga City Council administration and the Riga Municipal Police met with M. Mitrofanov, head of the Riga City Council faction of the Latvian Russian Union, to discuss the restrictions imposed because of the epidemiological situation.

During a meeting last week, acting Executive Director of the City of Riga E. Trautmane, Deputy Mayor L. Ozola, and representatives of the State Police, the municipal police and the State Security Service agreed that enhanced security measures would be introduced in Victory Park on 8 and 9 May. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 May.

Traffic restrictions will also be imposed in the vicinity of the monument, which the Riga City Council will announce separately.

Author

Communication Department of the Riga City Council