Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

• Riga Regional Court sentenced four skinheads who attacked two Roma girls and an Armenian couple to five years of suspended imprisonment
• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers: discrimination of Roma in Latvia is not a problem
• Vesti Segodnya reports on a case of Anatolijs Zuravlovs who recently was deprived of Latvian citizenship

The Riga Regional Court sentenced four skinheads for incitement to racial hatred to five years of suspended imprisonment and three years of probation period. As reported, the four men attacked two Roma girls in October 2007 and an Armenian couple in February 2008. The skinheads stated that they regret attacking the girls, but claim that they wanted to attack those who sell drugs. The Armenians were attacked because the skinheads mistakenly thought they were Roma. Suspended imprisonment was applied because the defendants pleaded guilty. The convicted persons also will have to pay compensation to two Roma girls in amount of LVL 12,000 (EUR 17,000) and LVL 8,000 (EUR 11,382). Mother of one of the girls in an interview with

The Riga Regional Court sentenced four skinheads for incitement to racial hatred to five years of suspended imprisonment and three years of probation period. As reported, the four men attacked two Roma girls in October 2007 and an Armenian couple in February 2008. The skinheads stated that they regret attacking the girls, but claim that they wanted to attack those who sell drugs. The Armenians were attacked because the skinheads mistakenly thought they were Roma. Suspended imprisonment was applied because the defendants pleaded guilty. The convicted persons also will have to pay compensation to two Roma girls in amount of LVL 12,000 (EUR 17,000) and LVL 8,000 (EUR 11,382). Mother of one of the girls in an interview with Telegraf said that suspended imprisonment is inadequate punishment and probably it will be appealed. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena

NRA reports that the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers at a meeting with students during his visit to Ventspils (city in the North-western part of the country) stated that discrimination of Roma in Latvia is not a problem. According to Mr. Zatlers, Latvia does not have Roma problem, they just live here and that is all.

Vesti Segodnya reports on a case of Anatolijs Zuravlovs who recently was deprived of Latvian citizenship by the decision of the Zemgale Regional Court. According to the newspaper, Mr. Zuravlovs was granted Latvian citizenship in 2000 on the basis that his step-father was ethnic Latvian. The fact that Mr. Zuravlevs was adopted by his stepfather was confirmed by a court decision in Russia. However, the Naturalisation Board submitted a claim to deprive Anatolijs Zuravlevs of Latvian citizenship arguing that the Russias courts decision is invalid. Mr. Zuravlovs already appealed the decision in the Supreme Court and sent open letters to the Presidents of Latvia and Russia and other state officials in both countries.