Riga authorities have dismantled the monument to Russian commander Mikhail Barclay de Tolly, installed in the Esplanade Park in the city center.
This was announced by Riga Mayor Vilnis Kirsis in social network X.
Kirsis published several photos taken in the evening or at night. The photos show a loading crane removing the almost five-meter sculpture from the pedestal and putting it into a truck. Also during the dismantling, part of the pedestal with the pre-revolutionary inscription “General Field Marshal Prince Barclay de Tolly” was removed.
“Esplanade Square has been freed from the symbol of Russian imperialism,” said the mayor of Riga, commenting on the dismantling.
Esplanādes laukums ir brīvs no krievu imperiālisma simbola. 🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/XubZCA1HTM
— Vilnis Ķirsis (@VilnisKirsis) October 31, 2024