Man detained in Riga over threats against Latvians and Ukrainians on trolleybus
The State Police have detained a man born in 1972 who made threats on a Riga trolleybus to physically harm Ukrainians and Latvians. He is in pre-trial custody, and police are seeking three young women who may have witnessed the incident.
The State Police in Riga have detained a man born in 1972 who made threats on a trolleybus to physically harm Latvians and Ukrainians. He has been remanded in custody, and a criminal case has been opened for inciting national hatred linked to threats of violence.
Video posted online
A video showing the man's remarks was posted on social media on 30 September. The recording features him talking about "liquidating" people, saying Ukrainians would be eliminated first and Latvians afterwards, and that this would be done physically. Police said he also used other contemptuous phrases.
Detention and custody
During the investigation, police established the identity of the person in the video. The man was detained on 12 October, and on 14 October a court ordered custody as a preventive measure. Police say he had not previously come to their attention.
Investigators also found that at about 5 p.m. on 30 September, at the "Cēsu iela" stop, the man spoke to three young women. They were travelling on trolleybus route 4 from Jugla toward Ziepniekkalns.
Police seek the young women
Police are asking the young women to come forward, as they may have information useful to the investigation. They can contact police on 67086621 or 112.
Possible penalty
The offence carries a prison sentence of up to ten years and probation supervision of up to three years. The State Police thanked the author of the video for passing the information to law enforcement.
