FAKE: The mayor of Riga promised to close the Riga Russian Theater

Information is spreading on the network that the mayor of Riga, Mārtiņš Staķis, has spoken

at the opening of the Skapis club for LGBTQ(IA+) communities. The publication also mentions that Stakis had previously promised to close the Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Drama Theater and rename Richard Wagner Street, as it is associated with Wagner’s private military company (PMC).

However, Mārtiņš Staķis did not promise to close the Mikhail Chekhov Russian Drama Theater in Riga and rename Richard Wagner Street. This was previously denied by independent fact-checkers from Re:Baltica.

Skapis Club opened on March 3, 2023 in Riga. On the same day, Mārtiņš Staķis visited the club and gave a speech. He said that Skapis is a safe and fun place and that he will visit the club often.

However, Stakis never proposed closing the Mikhail Chekhov Russian Drama Theater in Riga and renaming Richard Wagner Street.

Fact-checkers from Re:Baltica asked Staķis and the Ministry of Culture of Latvia for comment on the closure of the Riga Russian Theater. Staķis councilor Alexis Zoldners said that the mayor did not announce the closing of the theater and the renaming of the street and did not call for it. A representative of the Ministry of Culture of Latvia also denied this information: “Riga Russian Drama Theater named after Mikhail Chekhov is one of the capital companies of the Ministry of Culture. There is no question of its closure or liquidation”. We also found no mention of Staķis planning to close the theater or rename Richard Wagner Street.