(originally found here)
Time: 17:26, 02.05.2007
Factfile: Topical issues 2 May 2007
Identification of remains and future of the grave monument
* On 30 April, the representatives of the Bureau of Forensic Medicine of Estonia, the National Heritage Board and the Estonian Red Cross gave an overview of the archaeological excavations at Tõnismägi at a press conference at the Ministry of Defence.
* Twelve graves had been uncovered in the archaeological excavations in Tõnismägi. The caskets were found beneath the trees and partially under the footpath. The caskets are in two rows at a depth of 135 to 150 cm. The skeletons are quite well preserved.
* Those buried at Tõnismägi in 1944 were Russian soldiers killed during WWII. According to historical sources, the number of bodies was expected to range from 12 to 14.
* The identification of remains will be carried out in conjunction with high state offices and specialists according to valid rules, customs and agreements.
* According to the Estonian Red Cross, relatives have not shown any interest in visiting the grave site. One of the activities of the Red Cross is to search and locate war graves all over the world at the request of relatives. No requests have been forwarded to the Estonian Red Cross with regard to the Tõnismägi War Graves. However, the Estonian Red Cross is ready to handle such requests.
* If the identification procedure is successful, the Red Cross will contact the relatives of the deceased, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.
* The grave monument has been erected in the cemetery of Estonian Defence Forces on 14 Filtri Road, Tallinn and can be accessed freely.
* The cemetery of the Estonian Defence Forces is part of Tallinn Siselinna Cemetery. It was founded during WWI as a cemetery for Tallinn’s garrison. The register of those buried in that cemetery in 1918-1944 contains over 1,150 names and is preserved in the city’s central archives.
* The cemetery’s burial ground is covered with straight rows of gravestones with the names of people buried since 1941 and serves as the final resting place of Soviet soldiers.
* Different parts of the cemetery commemorate members of the air force who were killed in WWII. The grave of the submariners killed onboard M-81 on 21 July 1941 has special designation. The graves of the naval members of the Baltic Fleet in the centre of the cemetery are marked with a collective monument.
* Between those burial grounds there is a triangular square surrounded with a limestone wall. In the centre of the equilateral triangle stands a monument consisting of two triangular dolomite prisms. The two parts are connected with a bronze pentagon. The sides of the monument feature the worlds “To an unknown soldier” In Estonian and Russian.
* The commemoration of the victims of WWII will take place on 8 May in the cemetery of the Estonian Defence Forces at the site of the monument.
* The grave monument is intact and has not been damaged during the events of the past days. In 1947 sculpturing techniques were not advanced enough to produce such monuments in one piece. The bronze sculpture that was cast into a plaster model by sculptor Enn Roos and put together from several (up to 10) parts. Those parts were connected with dowels and the joints were smoothened.
Indemnification of losses
* The state will indemnify for the losses that were incurred as a result of the massive violations of public order in the past days. To receive indemnification, victims need to turn to the police and obtain a certificate for starting an indemnification procedure.
* The state will indemnify its citizens for the losses. As soon as all claims have been collected, the state will reclaim the money from the persons responsible for the losses. The state will initiate civil proceedings against the criminals after the conclusion of indemnification procedures and prosecution.
* The decision concerns the consequences of the acts of vandalism and looting in Jõhvi and Tallinn. Claims related to losses in other regions in Estonia will be analysed separately.
* Additional information about indemnification of losses can be obtained from the Ministry of Financial Affairs at http://www.fin.ee/ or by calling +372 611 3077 or writing to helen.ojamaa@fin.ee.
Police information
* All public meetings in Tallinn and surrounding Harjumaa county are prohibited until 11 May.
* All in all, around 1,200 people were arrested in Tallinn. Most of them have also been released.
* 51 people have been taken into custody: 26 Estonian citizens, 23 people without citizenship, one citizen of the Russian Federation and one Lithuanian citizen. Criminal proceedings have been started against 45 people with the total number of suspects over 300. One citizen of the Russian Federation with a tourist visa who had participated in the violations was expelled from Estonia.
* The police have not used unjustified violence against vandals or detainees. All detainees live in humane conditions. People who have to remain in detention over 48 hours are offered three meals a day. The detainees are under the supervision of medical workers and receive medical help if necessary. The Chancellor of Justice Mr. Allar Jõks has also met the detainees. According to the Chancellor of Justice, the rights of the detainees have not been violated.
* One person was killed and 156 injured in the riots, including 29 police officers. During three days one person was killed in Tallinn. Let me emphasise that, contrary to the information spread mostly in the Russian media, the Estonian Police was not involved in this unfortunate incident. It is beyond question that the death of this person was the result of a fight between two people that participated in the riot.
* Altogether 29 criminal proceedings have been started. Most of them concern aggravated breach of public order (Penal Code § 263).
General
* The Republic of Estonia honours, like all other EU Member States, the memory of all the victims of WWII. We value highly the contribution of those nations who fought ardently for the destruction of Nazism and fascism. The Government of the Republic of Estonia condemns the activities of all persons who committed crimes against humanity and mass repressions on its territory.
* The grave monument had to be removed from Tõnismägi for the following reasons: 1) the monument which for some celebrates the defeat of fascism, is a painful reminder of occupation for others; 2) the monument had become and would always have been a symbol of hate; it also attracted political provocations; 3) Tõnismägi square in central Tallinn was not a dignified place for war graves.
* The Government’s plan was to remove the grave monument peacefully, after the completion of archaeological excavations. Unfortunately there was a violent reaction already during preparatory works. That is why it was not possible to inform the population immediately about the course of planned works.
* To avoid further outbreaks of violence the relocation of the monument had to be carried out as quickly as possible.
