RIGA - Latvia's nationalist alliance For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (TB/LNNK) has drafted amendments to the Administrative Offences Code that would set stricter punishments for petty hooliganism, party spokesman Rolands Petersons said.
The alliance is set to propose the amendments in a bid to make it easier for the police to punish offenders who defile the Freedom Monument in downtown Riga and other national symbols of Latvia.
Under the draft amendments proposed by TB/LNNK, the maximum fine for petty hooliganism would be raised from 50 lats (71 euros) to 200 lats (286 euros). Anyone committing the same offense repeatedly within in a year or who is adjudged to be doing it with 'special cynicism' would face a 500 lat (715) fine or administrative arrest.
TB/LNNK lawmakers also propose to increase the maximum fine for consuming alcoholic beverages or indecent behaviour in public places from 50 lats to 200 lats, and from 100 lats to 300 lats if these offenses are committed repeatedly.
The draft amendments have been worked out at the initiative of Riga mayor Janis Birks, who has raised concerns over foreign tourists who are sometimes caught relieving themselves at the Freedom Monument after partying in the old city.
