here and now 02/22/2000 (2000)

The theme of the day is the verdict of the Riga Court to the veteran of the Great Patriotic War, Vasily Kononov: 6 years in a special regime prison.

Guests of the program - Irina Ustinova, daughter of Vasily Kononov (studio) and Minister of Justice of Latvia Valdis Birkavs (space bridge with Riga).

IVUstinov about the last meeting with his father in May 1999 and the state of his health.

V. Birkavs about the work of the justice system of Latvia.

Discussion of Boris Yeltsin's refusal from the Latvian order of three stars of the I degree in connection with the trial of Vasily Kononov and discrimination against the Russian-speaking population of Latvia.

V. Birkavs proposes to consider the case of V.M. Kononov at the international level and emphasizes that justice should be separated from politics.

IVUstinov about the reaction of neighbors and acquaintances to the trial; Shock of veterans living in Latvia.

V. Birkavs promises to organize a meeting of VM Kononov with Russian journalists.

IVUstinov comments on Vladimir Putin's decision to grant her family political asylum in Russia.