Riga mulls methods for dismantling Soviet-era monument, including blowing it up

• Published date: 27 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

RIGA, May 27 (LETA) - The local authority of Riga is considering various methods that could be employed to dismantle a monument to the Soviet Army in Victory Park, including blowing it up, Riga Vice Mayor Vilnis Kirsis (New Unity) told journalists Friday.

Kirsis, who was talking to journalists following a meeting with entrepreneurs that have express the wish to participate in the monument's removal, said that it is too early to comment on the costs of the monument's dismantling as first it is necessary to work out a design project and announce a tender to dismantle the structure.

Riga executive director Janis Lange indicated that the parliament has set November 15 as the deadline by which the monument has to be removed and the local authority of the Latvian capital city plans to meet this deadline, so all works will be planned so that the task was finished on time.

Kirsis said that, considering the security situation and possible provocations, the local authority would not disclose details about the monument's dismantling, including the work schedule and other information the disclosure of which might impede the monument's removal.

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