Soviet WWII veteran says laws 'distorted' in his case vs. Latvia

RIGA, May 18 (RIA Novosti) - A Soviet World War II veteran charged by Latvia with war crimes but acquitted last year by the European Court of Human Rights accused Latvia on Monday of misusing laws and seeking to re-write history.

The Strasbourg-based court ordered the Latvian government last June to pay Vasily Kononov compensation over his 1998 arrest and two-year detention in custody, and will hear Latvia's appeal against the ruling later this month.

Kononov told RIA Novosti: "Latvia has employed all resources to win this case. It is being discussed at the highest possible level, and has political overtones. Laws are being distorted, and interpreted not in my favor... I doubt that I can win again."

"My battle with Latvia has already lasted 11 years. For Latvia, victory in this case is of paramount importance, it will give the republic the chance to re-write history - the results of the Second World War. Therefore, it is making very serious preparations for the next court hearing."

Kononov said he is unable to fully engage in a legal battle against the Latvian government due to his poor state of health.

The 86-year-old veteran, who originally demanded 5 million euros ($6.7 million at current rates) in compensation, earlier called the Strasbourg Court's decision to award him damages of 30,000 euros ($40,400) "a mockery."

Kononov, who led a group of resistance fighters against Nazi Germany in the Baltic state during WWII, is accused by Latvian authorities of ordering the killing of nine villagers in 1944, with some reports saying the dead included a pregnant woman.

He admitted to the killings, but said the dead were Nazi collaborators who were caught in the crossfire. Latvia was under German occupation at the time of the incident.

The court of human rights agreed in February to hear Latvia's appeal against the compensation ruling. The hearing will take place on May 20.