RIGA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A controversial march commemorating Latvians who were drafted into German forces during World War II, or the so-called Latvian Legion, took place in Riga on Friday morning amid heavy police presence and loud protests of counter demonstrators, local media reported.
The annual procession, which traditionally begins in the old city and ends by Riga's landmark Freedom Monument, went on without any major incidents, although law enforcement officials, notably security police chief Normunds Mezviets, had warned of increased provocation risks at this year's March 16 events in Riga.
According to police estimates, the commemorative event drew around 1,500 participants this year, including a number of politicians from the right-wing National Alliance. As the procession approached the Freedom Monument in the city center it was met by about dozen people led by Tatjana Zdanoka, the leader of the Russian Union of Latvia, who expressed their discontent with the commemoration of the Latvian legionnaires, which they see as glorification of fascism.
Participants of the unauthorized protest held posters in several languages, reading "They fought for Adolf Hitler" and engaged in disputes over history with participants of the procession.
Two people were detained by police during the events by the Freedom Monument, one for disobeying police orders and one for turning up at a public event under the influence of alcohol.
By noon, the event was over and the crowd started to disperse.
