here and now №1418 22.02.2000 (2000)

The topic of the day is the Riga Court's verdict on WWII veteran Vasily Kononov: 6 years in a special regime prison.

The guests of the program are Irina Ustinova, Vasily Kononov's daughter (studio) and the Minister of Justice of Latvia Valdis Birkavs (teleconference with Riga). I.V. Ustinova about her last meeting with her father in May 1999 and about his health. V. Birkavs about the work of the Latvian justice system.

Discussion of Boris Yeltsin's refusal of the Latvian Order of the Three Stars, 1st degree, in connection with the trial of Vasily Kononov and discrimination against the Russian-speaking population of Latvia. V. Birkavs suggests considering V.M. Kononov's case at the international level and emphasizes that justice must be separated from politics. I.V. Ustinova about the reaction of neighbors and acquaintances to the trial;

the shock of WWII veterans living in Latvia. V. Birkavs promises to organize a meeting between V.M. Kononov and Russian journalists. I.V. Ustinova comments on Vladimir Putin's decision to grant her family political asylum in Russia.