Russia Considers Prosecution Of Anti-Fascist Veterans In Latvia Politically Motivated

An official representative of the Foreign Ministry of Russia issued a statement in connection with court proceedings against anti-fascist veterans in Latvia. According to the Press and Information Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the statement reads, "Judging from reports from Riga, the Latvian authorities have intensified court proceedings against anti-fascist veterans. This causes a quite understandable concern. The fact of handing over the respective 'cases' to courts in remote towns on the pretext that the Riga District Court is overburdened is remarkable. Therefore, the elderly veterans are exposed to additional physical hardships and sufferings, and new difficulties in the organization of the defense and the participation in the court proceedings are created for them. Our principal position on the continuing court proceedings against war and military service veterans in Latvia is well known. It is a matter of an obvious 'political order,' which allows for the return force of laws, biased investigation and portraying anti-fascist fighters as 'occupants,' whereas helpers of the Nazis are called 'freedom fighters.' The Russian party will continue to give its firm and consistent support for the veterans being prosecuted in Latvia and to strive for the lifting of all the groundless charges filed against them."