Roberts Mūrnieks (4 July 1952 – 16 January 1991) was the first person killed by Soviet OMON during the Barricades in 1991 in Latvia. His funeral became a public protest against Soviet occupation and aggression in Latvia.
Roberts Mūrnieks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 July 1952 |
| Died | 16 January 1991 (aged 38) Riga, Latvia |
| Occupation | Driver |
Biography
editMūrnieks was born on 4 July 1952 in Pelši, Preiļi District in the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, which today is Latvia. He went to Preiļi High School № 1, but moved to Riga with his family after 5th grade.[1] In 1991, Mūrnieks was working for the Ministry of Transport as a driver, when he was shot in the head near Vecmīlgrāvis bridge during the events of the Barricades. He died from the injury on 16 January 1991, at Riga Hospital № 1.[2]
On 17 January, the Supreme Council of Latvia expressed condolences for Mūrnieks' death, saying it was as a result of banditry by a militia unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, and created a commission to organise his funeral. He was buried in Mārupe Cemetery, and his funeral became a focal point of popular protest.[3]
Award
editIn 2010, Roberts Mūrnieks was awarded the Order of Viesturs for outstanding merit in defending Latvia's independence and was recognised as Commander of the Order of Viesturs.[4]
References
edit- ^ Latgales dati
- ^ "16 January - Roberts Mūrnieks Murdered". delfi.lv (in Latvian). 20 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Roberts Mūrnieks' Burial Site". www.marupe.lv. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Order of Viesturs". laikraksts.com (in Latvian). Retrieved 26 January 2020.