Since the 9 May events, VDD has initiated three criminal proceedings for possible glorifying and acquittal of genocide, crimes against peace and humanity and war crimes, as well as statements aimed at triggering national hatred.
These criminal proceedings were initiated as VDD identified videos in the information space, the content of which indicated the support to genocide, crimes against peace and humanity and war crimes, as well as was aimed at triggering national hatred or enmity. Two of these criminal proceedings are related to public glorifying and acquittal of Russia’s current aggression against Ukraine and its population. Within the third criminal proceedings, VDD evaluates statements that are aimed at glorifying and acquitting the deportation of Latvian population to Siberia by the USSR. Currently VDD refrains from further comments in the interests of the investigation.
Since 24 February 2022 when Russia’s armed forces invaded Ukraine, VDD has initiated 17 criminal proceedings in relation to hate speech, while two proceedings were taken over from the State Police. From these 19 proceedings, eight were initiated pursuant to two Sections of the Criminal Law, i.e., for public glorifying and acquittal of genocide, crimes against humanity and peace and war crimes (Section 741 of Criminal Law) and activities aimed at triggering national hatred or enmity (Section 78 of Criminal Law). Six proceedings were enacted pursuant to elements constituting the crime stipulated in Section 741 of the Criminal Law, whereas five – pursuant to elements constituting the crime stipulated in Section 78 of the Criminal Law
Within the said 19 criminal proceedings, 14 persons have been recognised as suspects, while 9 others as persons against whom criminal proceedings have been enacted. Two suspects are applied the security measure – arrest.
VDD continues to assess several other cases.
Information prepared by VDD
Illustrative photo, VDD
