As reported earlier some of the opponents of the Riga Pride were sentences to fines for petty hooliganism during the protests actions during the Riga Pride on 22 July 2006 according to Administrative Code. In total 15 people were detained on 22 July and the police initiated only one criminal process against one of the protester for disobedience and attack on a police representative and administrative processes against the most of the protesters. Most legal experts in Latvia agreed that the protest activities which included throwing eggs, tomatoes and excrements to participants of the Riga Pride in public cannot be classified as petty hooliganism according to Administrative Code but hooliganism according to Criminal Law and consequently carry heavier penalties.

Last week the General Prosecution Office asked to end administrative cases against the Riga Pride protesters and to forward the materials to the Prosecution Office for starting criminal processes.

Juris Peda, Chief Prosecutor from the Department of Protection of State and Person Rights submitted six protests against the 4 August decisions of the Riga Central District court on administrative sentences against the participants of the protest actions during the Riga Pride.

The Chief Prosecutor believes that throwing excrements into other people in front of many other people is an obvious expression of disrespect against society [such activity is classified as hooliganism according to the Latvian Criminal Law].

In his protests the Chief Prosecutor asks the district court to revoke its decisions, end administrative processes and forward all materials to the General Prosecution Office for initiation of criminal processes.