Other events in Baltic States

Crowd control barriers have been placed around the vicinity of the Freedom Monument in Riga, as LETA observed.

The barriers are not fully restricting access to the monument and several people have already placed flowers by it this morning.

However, traffic circulation in the streets near the Freedom Monument is limited, cars are not allowed to stop and stand.

Some police officers are patrolling in various sites around the Riga Old Town, nearby the Latvian National Opera House and the Bastejkalns.

As reported, today in Riga and elsewhere in Latvia, residents commemorate Latvian Legionnaires Day.

At 12 p.m. a memorial church service will he held at the Riga Dome Church. After the church service, the legionnaires had planned to go on a march to the Freedom Monument, however, the Municipality of Riga banned the event due to security reasons. However, it is expected that the march will take place without the authorization anyway; officials warn of possible provocations and incidents, similarly to the March 16 events two years ago.

As reported, Mayor of Riga Janis Birks (For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK) believes that provocations in Riga on March 16, Latvian Legion Day, are inevitable and that human victims are also possible.

Despite the ban to organize any events by the Freedom Monument today, the head of "Latvian Anti-fascist Committee" Eduards Goncarovs invited supporters to go on "an excursion" around the center of Riga at around 12 p.m.

The responsible services have prepared to ensure safety in the city, if necessary, pedestrian movement by the Freedom Monument and in the streets of Riga Old Town could be restricted.

As reported, taking in consideration suggestions from security authorities, the Riga City Council committee responsible for rallies, marches and demonstrations has decided to ban any events by the Freedom Monument on March 16, the Latvian Legion Day.

In 2006, Riga Municipality decided not to allow legionnaires' march on March 16 and the Administrative District Court supported the decision.

In 2007 and 2008 the march was allowed to take place and was monitored by a large number of police forces.