Latvija in brief - 2009-10-21

Oct 21, 2009

Riga Central District Court on Oct. 16 acquitted the two British citizens accused of beating up a Riga Municipal Police officer in June of last year, reports LETA. Both British citizens had been accused of assaulting a Riga Municipal Police officer. The accused said they did not beat up the police officer. The policeman testified on Oct. 7 that on June 13, 2008, while on duty in Old Town, an individual approached him and asked to come and break up a fight by a nearby cafe. He approached the scene, where several men were in heated physical debate. The officer ordered them to stop; the order was ignored and he himself was attacked. The two Brits have now launched a legal bid demanding compensation for their expenses in the case.

A petition protesting funding cuts for Latvian universities has collected 26,050 signatures, reports LETA. The petition protests the planned cuts for higher education, which has been reduced by 48 percent so far this year. The letter states that the universities and colleges of Latvia are prepared for changes, for the restructuring of the studies process, and redistribution of funds. At the same time, the universities and colleges of Latvia must provide quality education, which will be impossible if funding for higher education continues to decrease at a rapid pace. The government is planning to further reduce funding for higher education by 31 percent next year 's unacceptable 's says the petition.

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