Latvija in brief - 2010-09-16

On Sept. 11 several hundred people gathered in the eastern Latvian city of Daugavpils to greet Latvian President Valdis Zatlers and Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski, reports LETA. Zatlers pointed out that this was the 90th anniversary of the day Latvian and Polish soldiers liberated Latgale Province. He said it was a successful military operation which led to a peace treaty being signed between Latvia and Russia. The Polish president said that “sometimes history unites nations, whilst sometimes it divides them. The events that took place 90 years ago have united our people forever. We have fought for freedom together after WWII, and we are still together today.” He thanked Latvia’s Polish community, which helped Latvia regain its independence, and thanked Latvia for supporting the Polish community in the country.

Several Latvian citizens are involved in the largest bogus marriage scheme ever uncovered in the United Kingdom, reports LETA. A Church of England vicar and two other men were jailed for organizing several hundred scam marriages, mainly between East European women and West African men. The Reverend Alex Brown, Ukrainian citizen Vladymyr Buchak, and solicitor Michael Adelasoye were given four-year prison sentences. The U.K. Border Agency’s investigation established that 360 bogus marriage ceremonies were performed by the vicar over four year. The scam involved women receiving up to GBP 3,000 a time to help the men, mostly Nigerians, bypass U.K. immigration laws and settle in Britain. Several Latvians were also involved. In many cases, the marriages were quickly annulled, and the participants returned to marry another person.

At the beginning of September, the largest section of the population still supports Harmony Center, says research company GfK, reports LETA. Harmony Center’s support is at 15.5 percent, followed by Unity, with 12.9 percent support; the Union of Greens and Farmers commands 8.9 percent support. For a Good Latvia’s support rests at 4.7 percent. The alliance All for Latvia! - For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK has the support of 3.1 percent of voters. For Human Rights in a United Latvia, at 1.3 percent, would not make the cut. Harmony Center would therefore take 35 seats in the Saeima, Unity - 28, Union of Greens and Farmers - 20. For a Good Latvia 10 seats, and All for Latvia! - For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK with 7.