Teen gangs attack people in central Riga parks, videos surface on social media
Several videos circulating on social media this past weekend show Russian-speaking teenage gangs violently attacking other young people in parks in central Riga. State Police say they are aware of the incidents and are working to identify those involved.
Over the past few days, several videos have spread across social media showing groups of teenagers attacking other young people in parks in central Riga. Based on the language heard in the recordings, the attackers appear to be Russian-speaking teenagers.
One video, filmed near a canal close to Riga Central Railway Station, shows a group of about ten young people, both boys and girls. Part of the group attacked three people while the rest simply stood by and watched. The victims are shown being knocked to the ground and kicked.
Second attack near Vērmanes Garden
Another video was recorded in a corner of Vērmanes Garden, close to the Ministry of Justice building. It also shows a group of roughly ten teenagers attacking a single girl. The footage shows the main attacker is a shaven-headed teenage boy who, with help from another youth, punches and kicks the girl, while the rest of the group either watches or films the incident on their phones.
Both incidents were recorded during daylight hours, suggesting the attacks took place openly rather than being hidden from bystanders. People who shared the videos further online called on the State Police and Riga Municipal Police to get involved. They also noted that some of the footage was posted by the attackers themselves, and that more such videos reportedly exist beyond the two that have circulated widely.
Responding to public outrage, the State Police stated that they are aware of the incidents. The agency said the necessary procedures are underway to establish the identities of those involved in the attacks.
