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Latvian far right go after “disloyal” motorists
Published: 07 February, 2010, 02:04
Edited: 24 July, 2010, 22:54
Image from www.photolife.lv
TAGS: Crime, EU, Hate crimes, Europe, Human rights, Internet
Latvian ultra-rightist have started another witch-hunt by threatening “disloyal car owners” who fix Russian symbols, like St. George Ribbon, or a Russian national emblem or colors on their vehicles.
A website registered in the US and still operational, http://www.latvietislatvija.com (Latvian in Latvia), has published a so-called "Okupantu autoparks,” an “Occupants’ car park,” list of those who dared to decorate their cars with the Russian symbols, revealing personal data of these citizens.
The black list reveals personal information and the names of 118 persons, including their home addresses and car plate numbers.
The witch-hunt was organized not only in Latvia’s capital Riga, but also throughout the country. Any car seen with the abovementioned symbols was photographed and put on that list. Some people from that list have already been blackmailed by e-mail. There is a risk of their cars being smashed or desecrated with paint, but the real concern is for affected children.
Latvian police says the website is out of Latvia’s jurisdiction, but the very fact of publishing personal info, probably stolen from some governmental source, is illegal, so an investigation has been launched to find out and fine those guilty.
Most of the exposed “disloyal” cars are private, but in at least one case, when a driver of Renault Master belonging to Latvijas Pasts (Latvian Post) tied a St. George Ribbon to it, the end was bitter and he was fired immediately for “improper decoration of an operational vehicle’”– amid economic collapse in the country.
Latvian police sees no incitement of ethnic hatred in this case, so the real patriots of the country continue with their job openly, waiting in ambush for disloyal citizens and publishing personal info on them for public use. Needless to say, the names of the crusaders themselves remain in the shadows.
About 44% (up to 95% in certain regions of the country) of Latvia’s 2.3 million population are Russian-speakers, and many of them still cannot get citizenship because of it.
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That is certainly crazy and more or less illegal to collect and especially publish all that information. I suppose Latvian security police is working on that. On the other hand I have never understood what is the point of bringing out so visibly the one´s own nationality? Why there has to be a Russian flag on windscreen of a car? I am pretty sure that even in Finland, where swedish is official another language, if someone would drive around with the flag of Sweden, it could be even worse thing than in Latvia. And also this thing, let´s turn upside down. If a Latvian is living in Moscow and driving around with Latvian flag. I suppose it is not so acceptable or nice behaviour, or? Personally I have nothing against it, but it looks more or less stupid.
To Marzipan ( to whoever else? others left long ago) Why do you imagine that it is fear that averts me from visiting Estonia? It is first and foremost the lack of interest. You know, the more of your comments and speculations I have read the less attractive your country has become in my eyes. Definitely a country is not only its people, but also its architecture, nature, cultural life, entertainment etc. However in this respect Estonia does not seem to be special or unique unless you love it dearly. Tallinn may seem exceptional in terms of architecture if you have never seen small German medieval towns, and I live in one of them. Here there are Tallinns galore. Estonia’s nature is not unique either unless you come from Australia or Africa, that I am not. As to the culture, well I do not think you can compete with the Hermitage, Louver or Vatican’s Museums, which I have had the pleasure to enjoy. What is left for me as a reason to visit your country are its people whose picture you managed to spoil. Alas! I have no idea why Russian citizens visit Estonia – perhaps the journey is cheaper if you feel like going away for two or three days and they do not care who serves them and do not need the company of the locals. I know for sure I will not spend a cent on your country. No fear – I am not coming. PS: I do not think I am going to proceed with the discussion which seems to be worn out, so please do not expect any further replies.
I would like to propose not to hold back until you get big sum of cash to order goods! You can get the home loans or short term loan and feel comfortable