The Vidzeme District Court of the city of Riga convicted Jānis Dzelme of hooliganism today, January 15, sentencing him to 100 hours of compulsory labour. Dzelme, who is a businessman, a member of the “New Generation” church congregation, and an assistant to MP Dainis Turlais of the First Party of Latvia (LPP), was convicted of gross public disorderliness as manifested in an obvious lack of respect toward the public by ignoring universally accepted norms of behaviour.

Statement issued by Mozaika, the Alliance of LGBT People and Their friends

Posted 15/01/2008 The court ruled that on July 22, 2006, Dzelme attended an authorized anti-demonstration at Alberta Street 13, where Mozaika, an organization for LGBT people and their friends, was organising a press conference about the fact that the Riga City Council had denied permission for a pride parade. The court also found that during that event, Dzelme threw a plastic bag containing a stinking substance at the car of a Mozaika member. Dzelme, who is close to the LPP, denied his guilt, but he did confirm that he was at the location, saying that he went there to “protest against gay propaganda.” Some 20 members of “New Generation”, including leader Aleksey Ledyayev, were at the court for the pronouncement of the ruling. The full text of the ruling will be released on January 29.

Mozaika board chairman Kristine Garina: “This is an enormously important precedent which will send very strong signals to those people in Latvia who believe that freedom of assembly and freedom of speech should be limited with violence. Let them understand that such behaviour will have serious consequences. The attack against homosexuals and their supporters is a hate crime against a specific group in society, and that is why it must be seen as a very serious violation. We are very pleased that both the Prosecutor-General’s Office and the court agree with us. Today we can feel safer and more equal than we did in the summer of 2006.”

Another court hearing concerning the Friendship Days events which Mozaika organises is expected this week. On Thursday, a resident of Riga and his 15 year old son will be tried for throwing explosives at a group of people who were leaving the Vermanes park after the 2007 march for equality.

For further information contact office@mozaika.lv