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The annual procession commemorating the Latvian Waffen-SS

Riga's Antifascists 'Disinfected' Square After Waffen SS Legion Parade

© Sputnik / Ilya Pitalev

16:35 GMT 16.03.2015(updated 16:40 GMT 16.03.2015) Get short URL

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https://sputniknews.com/europe/201503161019569642/

Latvia's Interior Minister Richard Kozlovskis called upon citizens of Riga to avoid provocations on March 16, the day of annual Waffen SS parade; after the event Riga's antifascists washed and disinfected the square where the notorious march was held.

Ekaterina Blinova — Latvia's Interior Minister Richard Kozlovskis called upon Riga's citizens to avoid provocations and to stay away from the capital's center during the annual march held on March 16 by Waffen SS Legion veterans and their supporters.

Protesters demonstrate against the annual procession commemorating the Latvian Waffen-SS (Schutzstaffel) unit, also known as the Legionnaires, in Riga March 16, 2015

© Sputnik / Ilya Pitalev

Glorification of Nazism on 70th Anniversary of WW2 ‘Abhorrent’

Several hundreds of former Waffen SS legionnaires and their supporters participated in the parade in Riga. Kozlovskis noted that on the eve of the march several individuals were included in the blacklist, prohibited from entering Latvia.

Russia's Foreign Ministry denounced the Waffen SS annual parade in Riga as "disgraceful," saying it insulted millions of victims of the Second World War.

Latvia's Waffen SS Legion was formed in 1943 on Adolf Hitler's orders, comprising about 150,000 volunteers. The legionnaires participated in ruthless punitive operations, directed against Jews, Russians and Latvian Communists.

According to Latvian media sources, members of anti-fascist movement washed and "disinfected" the square in front of the Freedom Monument after Waffen SS veterans ended their march.

Related:: Riga Mayor Grateful to Citizens for Ignoring Nazi Vets Parade

: History Turned Inside Out: Nazi Vets Annual March Held in Riga

: German Right-Wing Party Co-Organizes Nazi Parade in Riga - Bundestag Member

Tags:

Latvia, Riga, World War II, parade, Nazis

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