Teen gang beats girl in Riga park, deputy mayor promises action

Several videos circulated on social media this past weekend showing groups of Russian-speaking teenagers violently attacking other young people in parks in central Riga.

One video, filmed near a canal close to Riga Central Railway Station, shows a group of about ten teenagers — both boys and girls — some of whom attack three people while the rest merely watch. The victims are knocked to the ground and beaten with fists and kicked.

A second video was filmed at the edge of Vērmanes Garden, near the Ministry of Justice building. It likewise shows a group of roughly ten teenagers attacking a single girl. The main attacker is described as a shaven-headed teenage boy who, with help from another teenager, punches and kicks the girl while the rest of the group either watches or films the incident.

Filmed in daylight

Both incidents took place during daylight hours. The videos were reportedly posted online by the attackers themselves, and several such recordings are said to exist. People who reshared the footage, calling for police involvement, pointed to this fact.

The person who first posted one of the videos on the platform X described the incident as the work of a group of young "boxers" active in Vērmanes Garden, suggesting they would be easy to identify by their distinctive appearance — shaved heads and branded sportswear.

Authorities pledge to act

Riga deputy mayor Edvards Ratnieks (National Alliance) responded to the videos, stating that the Riga Municipal Police are working together with the State Police to identify and hold those responsible accountable.

The State Police confirmed it is aware of both incidents and is currently carrying out the necessary procedures to establish the identities of those involved.