Abstract of Penal Code as amended in 1998

THE CRIMINAL LAW

Latvia

(Adopted in 17 June 1998, amended 1998-2006)

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Section 150. Violation of Equality Rights of Persons on the Basis of their Attitudes Towards Religion

For a person who commits direct or indirect restriction of the rights of persons or creation of whatsoever preferences for persons, on the basis of the attitudes of such persons towards religion, excepting activities in the institutions of a religious denomination, or commits violation of religious sensibilities of persons or incitement of hatred in connection with the attitudes of such persons towards religion or atheism,

the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding two years, or community service, or a fine not exceeding forty times the minimum monthly wage.

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Section 151. Interference with Religious Rituals

For a person who commits intentional interference with religious rituals, if such are not in violation of law and are not associated with violation of personal rights,

the applicable sentence is community service, or a fine not exceeding ten times the minimum monthly wage.

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Section 227. Causing Danger to Public Safety, Order and the Health of Individuals While Performing Religious Activities

For a person who commits organisation or leadership of such group as the activities of which, manifested as the preaching of religious doctrine and performing of religious rituals, are associated with causing of harm to public safety and order, to the health of persons, or to the rights and interests protected by law of a person, or who commits participation in such acts,

the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding five years or community service, or a fine not exceeding one hundred times the minimum monthly wage.

[12 February 2004]

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Section 228. Desecration of Graves and Corpses

(1) For a person who commits desecration of graves, funerary urns or interred or uninterred corpses,

the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding five years or community service, or a fine not exceeding one hundred times the minimum monthly wage.

(2) For a person who commits similar acts if commission thereof is repeated or by a group of persons pursuant to prior agreement,

the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding eight years, or by a fine not exceeding one hundred and fifty times the minimum monthly wage.

(3) For a person who commits acts provided for in Paragraph one and two of this Section, if such acts are associated with theft of a monument or funerary urn, or other objects placed on or in a grave or at a funerary urn,

the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term of not less than three and not exceeding ten years, with or without confiscation of property.

[12 February 2004]

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Section 229. Destruction of and Damage to Cultural Monuments

(1) For a person who commits destruction of or damage to a cultural monument protected by the State,

the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding four years, or custodial arrest, or community service, or a fine not exceeding eighty times the minimum monthly wage.

(2) For a person who commits the same acts, if commission thereof is by burning, use of explosives, or in another generally dangerous manner,

the applicable sentence is deprivation of liberty for a term not exceeding ten years, or a fine not exceeding one hundred and eighty times the minimum monthly wage.

[12 February 2004]

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