President's website hacked as Latvia celebrates independence

Nov 18, 2009
Oskars Magone

(From Left) The Parliamentary Speaker, President and Prime Minister took part in a flower laying ceremony at the freedom monument. (Photo: www.president.lv)

RIGA - Hackers took the oppotunity to take control of the Latvian president's website as the country lauched on Nov. 18, the country's national day.

Visitors who went to www.president.lv, the official website for Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, on Wednesday morning were met with a message reading "Greetings on the 91st anniversary, Mr.President, save the country! We might not last until the 92nd anniversary."

The message was quickly removed and the website put back in working order.

Latvia celebrates its national day on Nov. 18 with parades, fireworks and a flower laying ceremony at the freedom monument.

"Our state's birthday has always been like a watershed, a time when we have to evaluate what we have accomplished. This year, the celebration comes at a difficult time. This is a time to assume responsibility and make decisions whick will affect the country's future," Parliamentary Speaker Gundars Daudze said at an address on the morning of the 18th. 

In three days, Estonia will celebrate the Declaration of Sovereignty of Estonian SSR. Estonia's national day is on Feb. 24, while Lithuania celebrates on the 16th of the same month.

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