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Estonian war figure laid to rest Estonian war figure laid to rest
(about 2 hours later)
Arnold Meri, a Soviet war hero put on trial in his native Estonia over his role in Stalin-era deportations, has been buried in Tallinn.Arnold Meri, a Soviet war hero put on trial in his native Estonia over his role in Stalin-era deportations, has been buried in Tallinn.
Mr Meri, who suffered from ill-health, died on Friday at the age of 89 while judicial proceedings against him were still in progress.Mr Meri, who suffered from ill-health, died on Friday at the age of 89 while judicial proceedings against him were still in progress.
He denied the charge of "genocide" but admitted playing a part in the deportation of 251 civilians in 1949.He denied the charge of "genocide" but admitted playing a part in the deportation of 251 civilians in 1949.
Estonia's contention that genocide took place is not widely accepted.Estonia's contention that genocide took place is not widely accepted.
He was the last surviving Estonian to have been awarded the USSR's top military decoration in World War II, the Gold Star, and a cousin of Estonia's first post-independence president, the late Lennart Meri.He was the last surviving Estonian to have been awarded the USSR's top military decoration in World War II, the Gold Star, and a cousin of Estonia's first post-independence president, the late Lennart Meri.
Arnold Meri had argued that the charges brought against him in August 2007 were politically motivated because of his opposition to the government and his involvement in anti-fascist work.Arnold Meri had argued that the charges brought against him in August 2007 were politically motivated because of his opposition to the government and his involvement in anti-fascist work.
Russia, long locked in a dispute with Estonia over the Soviet legacy, awarded him its Order of Honour posthumously within hours of his death.Russia, long locked in a dispute with Estonia over the Soviet legacy, awarded him its Order of Honour posthumously within hours of his death.
'Not genocide''Not genocide'
He was laid to rest on Wednesday in a cemetery on the outskirts of the Estonian capital where members of his immediate family are also buried.He was laid to rest on Wednesday in a cemetery on the outskirts of the Estonian capital where members of his immediate family are also buried.
Every Estonian had only one decision to make: whose side to take in that bloody fight - the Nazis' or the anti-Hitler coalition's Arnold Meriinterviewed by BBC News in 2007 about his war years When giants fought in Estonia Every Estonian had only one decision to make: whose side to take in that bloody fight - the Nazis' or the anti-Hitler coalition's Arnold Meriinterviewed by BBC News in 2007 about his war years href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7978162.stm"> In pictures: Arnold Meri's life class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6637895.stm"> When giants fought in Estonia
Several hundred people are said to have attended the funeral, which was conducted without military trappings.Several hundred people are said to have attended the funeral, which was conducted without military trappings.
Mr Meri's trial had been halted because of the state of his health but a review of the medical findings was ordered in December.Mr Meri's trial had been halted because of the state of his health but a review of the medical findings was ordered in December.
Estonia's security police say more than 40 of those deported from the island of Hiiumaa in 1949 either died on the way to, or in, Siberian camps.Estonia's security police say more than 40 of those deported from the island of Hiiumaa in 1949 either died on the way to, or in, Siberian camps.
Wounded in combat as a Soviet soldier early in the war, Mr Meri served as an official in Estonia after the country was re-annexed by the Soviets, who drove out Nazi forces.Wounded in combat as a Soviet soldier early in the war, Mr Meri served as an official in Estonia after the country was re-annexed by the Soviets, who drove out Nazi forces.
He admitted being involved in deportations as a Soviet functionary but told his trial: "I do not consider myself guilty of genocide."He admitted being involved in deportations as a Soviet functionary but told his trial: "I do not consider myself guilty of genocide."
Since winning independence from the USSR in 1991, Estonia has been gradually attempting to prosecute those who helped in the deportation of more than 20,000 Estonians to Siberian camps.Since winning independence from the USSR in 1991, Estonia has been gradually attempting to prosecute those who helped in the deportation of more than 20,000 Estonians to Siberian camps.
Estonia has been accused, in turn, of failing to prosecute adequately suspected war criminals who sided with the Nazis.Estonia has been accused, in turn, of failing to prosecute adequately suspected war criminals who sided with the Nazis.
Interviewed by BBC News in May 2007 about his wartime experiences, Arnold Meri said: "Every Estonian had only one decision to make: whose side to take in that bloody fight - the Nazis' or the anti-Hitler coalition's."Interviewed by BBC News in May 2007 about his wartime experiences, Arnold Meri said: "Every Estonian had only one decision to make: whose side to take in that bloody fight - the Nazis' or the anti-Hitler coalition's."