Just like in this image from 2014, the collective neo-Nazism in the West is reacting both to the Victory – St.George – ribbon and to the symbol Z, which has become the symbol manifesting the Russian fight against the Bandera breed of neo-Nazism in Ukraine. Naturally, those backing Nazism in the EU and the “collective West” would react adversely to any attempt to nip neo-Nazism in the bud. I earlier posted a translation of an article The collective West’s support of the Nazis in Ukraine is a familiar practice for them — Alexander Rodgers that exposes this trend. And what do you know, both Germany and Latvia are set to criminalise the anti-Nazi symbolism and commemoration.
Note that all the prohibitions in Latvia do not apply to the marches commemorating Nazi Latvian SS battalions.
The president of Ukraine himself has urged the West to prohibit letter Z (and why stop there, ban “V for Victory”, too)! So in fact, Ukraine is headed by: _Ladimir _Elensky!
In Germany
“Anyone publicly approving the war may be liable to prosecution in Germany”
I assume this will include social media as well. THIS IS F**KING CRAZY !!!
https://twitter.com/GermanyinUSA/status/1508552762296082432
Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat
German Embassy
@GermanyinUSAGermany government organization
Russia’s war of aggression against #Ukraine is a criminal offense. Anyone publicly approving the war may be liable to prosecution in Germany. This applies to using the “Z” symbol, too. German security authorities are keeping an eye on the use of the symbol. – Ministry of Interior
Quote TweetBundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat
@BMI_Bund
· Mar 28
Der russische Angriffskrieg gegen die #Ukraine ist eine Straftat. Wer diesen Angriffskrieg öffentlich billigt, kann sich strafbar machen. Das gilt auch für das Zeigen des „#Z“-Symbols. Die Sicherheitsbehörden des Bundes haben die Verwendung des Symbols im Blick.
In Latvia
One of the past “Immortal Regiment” marches in Latvia
The following article was published on AfterShock on the 24th of March 2022, with additional translations streaming in from Latvia further below.
Celebrating May 9 in Latvia is now a criminal offence
The gatherings of people on May 9, which is celebrated in Russia as Victory Day, will be perceived as support for Russian aggression in Ukraine, the head of the State Police Armand Roux said in the program of LTV “Morning Panorama”.
“All sorts of scenarios are being considered, we are preparing and planning. But I would like to urge people who go to honour the memory of those who died in World War II, which in itself is not wrong, to understand that such meetings will necessarily be considered as support for Russian aggression,” Roux said.
“I would urge everyone who thinks about this situation to think about the fact that by celebrating May 9 this year, you are giving strength to the aggressor, who will monitor what is happening in Latvia, and we should not allow this,” he added.
The deputy of the Seimas from the ruling party “New Unity” Andreys Yudins reminded of the criminal responsibility for supporting aggression in Ukraine. He pointed out that people celebrating May 9 can already now fall under a special article in Latvia, which means justifying Russia.
“Article 74.1 of the Criminal Law implies responsibility for public glorification of crimes against peace and war crimes. Justifying aggression against Ukraine is a crime against peace,” the deputy said – Punishment for such a crime can result in 5 years in prison for the accused.
I opened an archive with photos of the May 9 holidays in Riga and was horrified by the number of potential criminals…
The Prime Minister of Latvia, a citizen of the United States, Krisjanis Karins, does not rule out that the decision to ban the celebration of Victory Day on May 9 should be taken at the state level.
“May 9 is nothing but glorification of the occupation of our country. You can call it whatever you want, but these are facts,” the prime minister said in the 900 Seconds program on TV3. “There should be no demonstrations on May 9 glorifying the occupation of our country, especially at this time, because the state that is waging war is being praised.”
The Prime Minister also urged to remember that Latvia is not the outskirts of the Russian Empire, but a free and democratic country with its own language, traditions and pride.
“For many years, military psychosis has been cultivated in Russian society, which has acquired the character of a religious cult,” writes the mouthpiece of Russophobia in Latvia Ben Latkovskis in Neatkariga. – The main holiday of this quasi-religion (“pobedobesiya”) was May 9, when the whole of Russia plunged into a glorifying orgy of war.” (Translator note: Really? It’s rather remembering the horrors of war saw that the same does not happen again!)
The widespread celebration of May 9 outside Russia, including in Latvia, has long been an unspoken act of self-identification with the “Russian world,” he writes.
“We cannot allow May 9 in Riga and other cities of Latvia to result in a huge demonstration of support for the criminal Putin and the horde led by him. What needs to be done urgently to prevent this from happening? Latkovskis asks. – In fact, there is only one way to prevent an orgy at the symbol of occupation in Pardaugava on May 9. It is necessary to equate the celebration of this date with the support of war crimes and prohibit it. Just like the St. George ribbon, the letter Z and other symbols of war crimes.
In addition, the President of the Republic of Latvia, a citizen of Germany Egils Levits, sent a signal to those residents of Latvia who, according to the head of state, support the Russian aggressive war on social networks.
“I would like to point out that there is an article in our Criminal Law that provides for punishment for publicly calling for the implementation of aggressive war…” the President of the Republic of Latvia noted.
From this we can conclude that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to noticeably step up in identifying disloyal individuals in social networks.
Once again I publish a widely distributed appeal in Latvia:
An appeal to rat out people who support the anti-Nazi war in Ukraine and Putin personally to the Latvian Gestapo.
And the latest two articles about the totalitarian Nazi intimidation tactics in Latvia:
There will be fines for the pro-war Z and V
Souvenir shop in Moscow, March 2022
Foto: REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
31.03.2022, 16:55
Author: Editorial Office Rus.LSM.lv ( Rus.LSM)
Fines for the use in public space of symbols glorifying military aggression and war crimes, for example, Z and V, were approved by the Seimas in the final reading today, the LETA news agency reports.
There will be exceptions: if the use of symbols is not associated with the glorification of military aggression.
If a violation is established, a warning or fine is threatened: for an individual — up to 350 euros, for a legal entity — up to 2.9 thousand euros.
The Sejm also decided that such symbols should not be used in public events.
While discussions were going on in the Seimas on whether to punish the use of controversial symbols, claims have already appeared in society to this symbol. And in the most unexpected places: someone does not want to see it in the name of the company, and someone saw the Z symbol in the logo of an ordinary school. (translator note: the racist psychosis in the overdrive in the West!)
At the same time, we should not forget about the already existing Article 74 of the Criminal Law of Latvia, which implies responsibility for the public justification and glorification of crimes against peace and war crimes. After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, several such criminal trials have already been launched in Latvia. The maximum penalty under this article is five years in prison.
Celebration of May 9 was banned, the demolition of the Monument to Liberators is being discussed
Foto: EPA, VALDA KALNINA
31.03.2022, 10:55
Author: Janis Kincis (Latvijas Radio korespondents), Madara Litsite (LTV journalist, Panorama presenter), Editorial Staff Rus.LSM.lv ( Rus.LSM)
The Seimas Commission on Foreign Affairs assessed the initiative of voters to dismantle the monument to Liberators in Victory Park. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Latvia’s international obligations prevent the dismantling of the monument unilaterally. In turn, the deputies are convinced that a solution can be found by instructing the Ministry of Justice to find a legal justification for the demolition of the monument, Latvian Radio reports. The Sejm also in the final reading banned holding events closer than 200 meters from any monument glorifying the Soviet army and its victories.
The Sejm discussed the demolition of the monument in Victory Park three years ago, but the pandemic slowed down the process. Then 10,822 citizens of Latvia appealed to the Seimas with the initiative to dismantle the monument. Its author Ugis Polis stressed in the parliamentary commission that after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were more arguments on this issue, because the monument is associated with the Soviet era and its glorification. “Russia has clearly shown that it is not bound by any international treaties. I can’t imagine a better moment when this monument could be dismantled,” Polis said. (Translator note: Ukraine has already conducted “decommunisation”, cancelling on all the territory gains and perks, provided to them by the Communists. Well, Russia is finishing off what the Ukrainian “decommunisers” started in Ukraine, and it looks like Latvia is also asking to be decommunised and revert to its pre-1917 state, when Latvia did not exist.)
However, from a legal point of view, the object is protected by an agreement with Russia from 1994, backed up by notes after an attempt to blow up the monument a few years later. The main purpose of the agreements was the withdrawal of the Russian army from the territory of Latvia and the demolition of the locator in Skrunda — this was recalled by Deputy Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Atis Lots. According to him, Latvia will not risk unilaterally breaking the agreement: “I find it difficult to predict what consequences this will have.”
The deputies of the commission hold different views. Some believe that it is irresponsible to talk about this in the context of public sentiment about the war unleashed by Russia. Others, calling the monument appendicitis and a pillar of shame, expect that its demolition will be legally justified. “There are reasons to believe that actions with the monument will increase tensions, and this is not in the interests of Latvia’s security,” Deputy Krista Baumane believes.
At the suggestion of the chairman of the commission, Richard Kols, the members of the commission decided to call on the Riga City Duma to install information boards near the monument about its historical context, make sure that the technical condition of the monument does not pose a danger to people, and to change itsname. The current one — the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the Nazi invaders — dates back to Soviet times, to 1985 — the year of its installation.
The Parliamentary Commission will instruct the Ministry of Justice to find a legal solution to the issue of the demolition of the monument to the Soviet wars within two weeks.
Today it became known that the Seimas in the final reading adopted the proposal of deputies Artus Kaimins and Linda Medne on amendments to the law on the safety of public entertainment and festive events, prohibiting events closer than 200 meters from any monument glorifying the Soviet army and its victories.
Earlier, in the discussions of the Commission on Human Rights and Public Affairs, it was said that the ban would also affect the holding of events at the monument in Victory Park. The Law defines a public event as a memorial, entertainment or sports event planned and organized by a natural or legal person in a public place.
After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, discussions resumed about the legality of celebrating May 9 in Victory Park. Riga Mayor Martins Stakis will propose to the executive director of the municipality not to coordinate the annual event at the monument. The mayor expressed his position — the ninth of May in Riga should be held without events.
The head of the State Police Armand Roux said that the gatherings of people on May 9 will be perceived as support for Russian aggression.
Roux admits that people will go to the park, even if the event is not allowed, because they have the right to move freely and express their thoughts. At the same time, the head of the State Police reminds that freedom of speech is not unlimited and cannot contradict common interests.
“Different options are being considered, we are preparing and planning. But I would like to urge people who go to honour the memory of those who died in World War II, which in itself is not wrong, to understand that such meetings will necessarily be considered as support for Russian aggression,” Roux said earlier, adding that this will lead to an even greater split in society.
Vadim Barannik, Head of the society “9мая.lv “, believes that it is not necessary to cancel the events: “I can agree that it is difficult to talk about large—scale celebrations within the framework of current events — the fighting in Ukraine. But, on the other hand, to say that no events can take place and link it with the war in Ukraine, I think, is absolutely incorrect. The application for the event was submitted well before February 24. And it wasn’t even filed this year. The question arises as to how much the mayor has delved into this topic.”
