The State Police and the State Security Service will work in an intensified mode, monitoring security throughout the country in connection with May 9. The services are preparing for any scenario and are ready to react not only on the specific date but also in the days before and after, to prevent threats to public order and security, including glorification and justification of criminal Russian aggression and war crimes. Upon detecting such violations, the actions of the services will be unequivocal and decisive – administrative and criminal liability is provided for such violations. The services urge residents to report if they have information about planned provocations on May 9 or if they become witnesses to such actions.
The State Security Service, in close cooperation with the State Police, continues to pay increased attention to any information or activities related to May 9, assessing whether they pose risks to Latvia's national security. The State Security Service informs that it currently does not have confirmatory information about pro-Kremlin individuals preparing for specific provocations on May 9; however, such provocations are not entirely ruled out.
Throughout Latvia, extensive service forces are planned for May 9, involving the State Police Special Tasks Battalion in maintaining public order. The services will operate according to a special public order and security plan; depending on the necessity and the current situation, public security measures may be changed and intensified.
The services remind that on May 9 in Latvia, it is not allowed to organize public entertainment and festival events, meetings, processions, and pickets aimed at undermining and endangering the values of Latvia as a democratic and national state, including the glorification of war, military aggression, totalitarianism, or violence, as well as the misrepresentation of historical events. This applies to the so-called "victory Day" and its symbolism, which is glorified and widely used in the propaganda of the Kremlin regime. The prohibition of organizing events on May 9 is provided for by the law "On the Prohibition of Certain Public Events on May 9," adopted by the Saeima in 2023.
The laying of flowers in places where Soviet monuments, now dismantled, were located, will be considered as the glorification of these objects and military aggression, and such actions will not be allowed.
Although individual laying of flowers at burial sites is not prohibited, the State Police emphasizes that the increased presence of police in these places does not necessarily mean that residents will be provided with convenient and coordinated access. The goal and task of the police are to prevent threats to public order and any glorification of aggression.
At the same time, law enforcement agencies remind that, according to the public order and security plan, both traffic and pedestrian flow may be restricted and regulated. According to the Law on Police, if there is a threat to public safety, the lives, health, and property of individuals, possible provocations, and escalations, the State Police may restrict access to specific objects.
Also, on May 9, throughout the day and until 7:00 am on May 10, the use of pyrotechnic products is prohibited.
The services remind that the use of symbols of totalitarian regimes (including stylized ones), as well as any symbols glorifying and justifying military aggression and war crimes, in public places is prohibited and punishable. Also, the public use of the Russian flag or the public playing of songs glorifying war will be considered as glorification of the aggressor and its regime, and individuals will be evaluated accordingly.
Furthermore, criminal liability is threatened for the public justification and glorification of genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes against peace and war crimes (Article 74.1 of the Criminal Law), as well as for actions aimed at inciting national or ethnic hatred or enmity (Article 78 of the Criminal Law).
The actions and response of the services to such violations will be immediate and strict.
Considering that May 9 has long been a date that divides Latvian society, there are increased risks of confrontation between groups representing different views on this day. Therefore, the services urge critical evaluation of provocative statements in the media space and to refrain from reacting to them, and to report to the responsible services if such content is noticed. Residents are urged not to engage in provocations or unlawful actions against individuals or the environment – to resist provocations and prevent the division of our society.
Residents who have information about planned provocations on May 9 – demonstrative or provocative actions aimed at dividing society or spreading messages in line with Russian interests – are encouraged to provide this information to the State Security Service by calling the hotline 67208964 or writing to the email address "dd@vdd.gov.lv". Meanwhile, if becoming witnesses to such activities on May 9, residents are urged to immediately inform the State Police by calling 110.