Time: late evening/night

Place/Location: shopping center Riga; Surhanava str., 50

Identity of the victim(s): two minors

Identity of the perpetrator(s): Special Purpose Police Unit OMON

The two victims, both 17 years of age at the time of the incident, were observing the peaceful protests from the rooftop of the shopping mall "Riga." Members of Special Purpose Police Unit OMON arrived and used flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets. The people on the rooftop were beaten with truncheons, brutally detained, beaten with truncheons, and thrown into a paddy wagon, in which the detainees were put on a floor one onto another. Most of them experienced difficulties breathing.

They were subsequently brought to a police station. The victims mentioned to the police that they were minors; the police ignored such information and replied that they didn't care. Victim #1 was also forced to sign a false confession declaring his active involvement in the protest. The two boys were initially threatened with the prospect of two or even 20 years of imprisonment.

Both boys were detained for almost five days and were beaten during detention. They also witnessed other detainees being severely bullied for their appearance (presence of tattoos, etc.,) and on the grounds of their nationality. The conditions in the detention center were poor: no mattresses, soap, or toilet paper was provided. Food (porridge, tea, and bread) was provided on a total of three occasions during a 5 day period.