EU state asks citizens not to celebrate WWII Victory Day
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas has urged the people of his country not to celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9.
Along with other Baltic states, Lithuania has ramped up its decades-long efforts to erase its Soviet past amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Last year, the EU country prohibited 'certain public events' which are traditionally held on May 9. The government in Vilnius has also banned the display of St. George ribbons and other Soviet symbols, with fines of up to €700 ($787) for violations.
Paluckas told journalists on Thursday that the Lithuanian security services had warned the government 'there is a possibility that certain small groups of people could try to stage provocations or behave inappropriately' on May 9. He went on to express hope that the law enforcement agencies will help prevent any 'serious problems.'
'My recommendation is to simply not celebrate tomorrow and follow our European tradition of what and how to celebrate,' the prime minister said.
Lithuania, along with the rest of the EU, marks the allied victory over Nazi Germany on May 8. The country celebrates Europe Day on May 9.
The Lithuanian police said they intensified efforts to monitor the dissemination of forbidden Soviet symbols online ahead of Victory Day, adding that the presence of officers in public places will be increased on Friday.
Russia has accused Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia of discriminating against their Russian-speaking populations by restricting Victory Day celebrations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said the behavior of the Baltic nations has 'long gone beyond the legal framework' and 'firmly established itself beyond the boundaries of common sense and humanity.'
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