Estonia judges the Hero of the Soviet Union "For Genocide"

In Estonia, the trial in the case of the 88-year-old hero of the Soviet Union Arnold Mary , who is accused of crimes against humanity, begins. Arnold is a cousin of the former president of Estonia, now the late Lennart Mary . But in recent years, according to Arnold Mary, the brothers did not communicate due to ideological contradictions.

The criminal case on charges of the genocide of the civilian population against Arnold Mary, the first Estonian, awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, the prosecutor’s office sent to court in August last year. On Tuesday in the city of Kyardla, which is the capital of the Estonian Island of Hiyumaa , hearing will begin. The process will take place on this island, because Arnold Mary is accused of deportation of the inhabitants of Hiyuma in Siberia in 1949.

It is expected that the testimony in court will give almost 80 people. The process will be highlighted by representatives of both local and foreign media. In connection with a large number of participants, the consideration of the case will not be held in the court building, but in the building of the city House of Culture.

According to the prosecution, in March 1949, Arnold Mary took part in the preparation of deportations, as well as "led the deportation on the island of Khayumaa." From archival sources, it is known that on March 25, 1949, the Soviet authorities on the island detained 251 people from among civilians. The next day, they were all sent to the port of Paldisk, and then to a forced lifelong settlement in Siberia. Arnold Mary himself notes that he was at that time a simple party worker, and just complied with the order.

88-year-old Mary is seriously ill. Earlier, he himself said that he would hardly reach trial. His revelations, published in one of the Estonian newspapers, caused pity even among those who longed for reprisals. There were many comments like this on Estonian Internet portals: “They would have left him alone. It will still die soon. ”

In the post -Soviet Estonia in similar cases for crimes against humanity, 11 people have already been convicted. In case of his guilt, a 88-year-old veteran can receive a life imprisonment.