Latvian nationalist leader faces prosecution for inciting public disorder during gay pride
29/09/2006
By
ILGA-Europe
RIGA, Sep 27, BNS - The Latvian Prosecutor's General Office has asked an administrative district court
to lift a fine imposed on the leader of Latvia's National Forces Union (NSS) for causing public disturbances during a sexual minorities festival in Riga this summer, and to launch a criminal procedure against him, the
court said.
The prosecutor believes that by participating in the gay-bashing attacks NSS chairman Viktor Birze showed clear disrespect for society, the prosecutor's spokesman Andrejs Vasks said.
In late August, the Riga Vidzeme District Court imposed 25 to 40 lats (EUR 35-57) fines on three defendants charged with causing public disorder during the gay pride festival, including NSS chairman Birze.
The men were detained for participation in anti-gay attacks outside Reval Hotel Latvia, where participants
of the gay pride festival were holding their events.
On July 22 activists of the No Pride anti-gay movement attacked members of Latvian and foreign gay and lesbian organizations at several venues of the gay pride festival in Riga.
The police detained 14 people during the disturbances. A total of 15 protocols about administrative offenses were drawn for petty hooliganism during the gay pride events in Riga and two criminal proceedings have beenopened.
Riga newsroom, +371 708 8611, zinas@bns.lv
to lift a fine imposed on the leader of Latvia's National Forces Union (NSS) for causing public disturbances during a sexual minorities festival in Riga this summer, and to launch a criminal procedure against him, the
court said.
The prosecutor believes that by participating in the gay-bashing attacks NSS chairman Viktor Birze showed clear disrespect for society, the prosecutor's spokesman Andrejs Vasks said.
In late August, the Riga Vidzeme District Court imposed 25 to 40 lats (EUR 35-57) fines on three defendants charged with causing public disorder during the gay pride festival, including NSS chairman Birze.
The men were detained for participation in anti-gay attacks outside Reval Hotel Latvia, where participants
of the gay pride festival were holding their events.
On July 22 activists of the No Pride anti-gay movement attacked members of Latvian and foreign gay and lesbian organizations at several venues of the gay pride festival in Riga.
The police detained 14 people during the disturbances. A total of 15 protocols about administrative offenses were drawn for petty hooliganism during the gay pride events in Riga and two criminal proceedings have beenopened.
Riga newsroom, +371 708 8611, zinas@bns.lv
