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(1952-07-04)4 July 1952
Pelši, Preiļi District, USSR  Soviet Union, modern-day Latvia  Latvia
Died16 January 1991(1991-01-16) (aged 38)
Riga, Latvia
OccupationDriver

Biography

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Mūrnieks 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]

 
Roberts Mūrnieks' funeral

Award

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In 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

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  1. ^ Latgales dati
  2. ^ "16 January - Roberts Mūrnieks Murdered". delfi.lv (in Latvian). 20 January 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Roberts Mūrnieks' Burial Site". www.marupe.lv. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Order of Viesturs". laikraksts.com (in Latvian). Retrieved 26 January 2020.