During the Maslenitsa celebrations held on February 22 in Liepaja, Latvia, a man was detained for showcasing Soviet symbols. Specifically, he was wearing a t-shirt featuring the abbreviation 'CCCP' along with the hammer and sickle symbol and a five-pointed star, which are emblematic of the former Soviet Union. The demonstration of such symbols is illegal under Latvian law, which prohibits public display of symbols associated with the former USSR and Nazi Germany, including flags, uniforms, and certain insignia.

The detainment was confirmed by Madara Šeršņova, a senior specialist from the Public Relations Department of the State Police. Consequently, the police have initiated administrative proceedings against the individual. According to the Administrative Offenses Law, individuals displaying these symbols in public places can face a warning or a fine, with penalties reaching up to 350 euros for individuals and 2900 euros for legal entities. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in Latvia regarding historical symbolism and the nation's legislative measures against the public display of such imagery.

The Maslenitsa celebrations, which are rooted in Russian culture, saw attendees from the Russian community in Latvia come together. However, the event was overshadowed by the arrest, underscoring the sensitive nature of national identity and the complex historical legacy of the Soviet era in modern Latvia. The incident raises questions about freedom of expression and the boundaries of acceptable public conduct in post-Soviet societies, especially in relation to symbolism that evokes strong historical and emotional responses.