Latvian authorities are keen to avoid a repeat of the Jan. 13 riot. Photo by Artūrs Budahs.

RIGA —The barricades may go up around Latvia’s parliament again, but instead of Soviet tanks this time the barriers will keep out rioters.

Latvia’s Ministry of Defense is drafting a plan to build a 25-meter wide protection embankment around the Saeima building to prevent a repeat of the January 13 riot that left its windows shattered by bricks.

The proposal has neither been approved by the government nor discussed in parliament yet. In addition to physical structures, the plan would prevent public gatherings within the walls without the permission of the Ministry of Defense.