On the morning of Saturday, 7 July 2012, the body of community activist Uldis Freimanis was discovered just outside of his home in the Purvciems neighborhood of Rīga. Uldis was known as a Latvian patriot who organized many marches and protest actions against the enemies of Latvia and the Latvian people. Uldis was also known as a champion for social justice, supporting the causes ofwar veterans, the politically repressed, the disenfranchised, and pensioners.
He was a particular thorn in the side of the “Okupanti,” the unwelcome refuse left behind in Latvia as the result of the brutal 50-year domination and occupation of the country by the Soviet Union. Uldis’ forte was “counter-proteststing” on days of historical significance, where he would lead small but dedicated groups in campaigns to “get the word out.” For example, when larger organizations were forbidden to make commemorative marches to the Liberty Monument in the center of Rīga on 16. March, Uldis Freimanis managed to secure permission to lead a group in solemn remembrance of the sons of Latvia who fought against Stalinist Soviet forces in the Second World War.
When the “Okupanti” would “celebrate” the anniversary of the Fall of Rīga to Stalinist Soviet forces, every May 9th Uldis and his dedicated band of supporters would always be near at hand to remind the world that this date merely marked the continuation of Soviet Russian brutality in the Baltic States. More controversially, Uldis Freimanis would host a march from the Museum of the Occupation to the Liberty Monument in commemoration of July 1st, the day in 1942 that witnessed the defeat of the Soviet Red Army as they were driven out of the Latvian capitol. Uldis considered this day a true “liberation” of Rīga, marking the end of “Baigais gads”—The Year of Horror, when some 40,000 people of Latvia were murdered, deported or simply “disappeared” in the first year of Soviet occupation. Particularly controversial was Freimanis’ insistence to note that a great many Jews were complicit in the “Red Terror.” This raised the ire of many leftist Jew organizations the world over.
A 2011 interview with the news program “Without Censorship,” where Uldis spoke out against certain Jews and Jewish groups who would exploit and bankrupt Latvia, brought a great deal of international controversy. Many had taken his harsher comments (those directed specifically directed at the criminal elements) out of context and attempted to paint him as an extreme anti-semite. Specifically the American zionist organization ADL petitioned the Latvian government to place him under arrest. Uldis Freimanis thus found himself under scrutiny and often persecuted by the State Security Division.
Though the body was discovered on a Saturday, by Monday morning State Security spokesman Toms Sadovskis stated that the body discovered outside the home was indeed that of Uldis Freimanis, and that “no sign of foul play” was discovered. A possible heart attack was cited as the cause of death. The Latvian government refuses to disclose who arrived at such a conclusion. This is odd, considering that Sadovskis insisted that no investigation would take place, and that no autopsy would be performed. The State News Agency LETA claims to have unspecified documents indicating Uldis suffered from heart disease, yet LETA declines to produce these files.
The mysterious circumstances regarding the passing of this acclaimed community activist have raised speculation that this might have been a politically motivated murder. A coalition of dissidents from Helsinki-86 and other Latvian patriotic organizations that galvanized Latvian opposition to Soviet rule in the waning days of the USSR believe that there is something more sinister behind Uldis Freimanis’ death. The news portal “People’s Tribunal” likens the act to an assassination and places the blame squarely on the shoulders of the State Security Division: “There exists not the least bit of doubt that the culprits are KGB-like criminals sent at the behest of State Security Division General Jānis Reiniks.” http://tautastribunals.eu/?p=10152 The principal contact of the “People’s Tribunal” is Human rights organization “Helsinki-86” co-founder Linards Grantiņš. The enigmatic Grantiņš was awarded Latvia’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Three Stars in 1996, however he has not collected the honor. Because of his political activities, Linards Grantiņš has been persecuted by the State Security Division, and thus lives in exile in Germany.
A memorial service for Uldis Freimanis is scheduled for Thursday, July 12th at noon.
Tev vieglas smiltis, Uldi.
/R
