Tallinn, 31 October 2002 (RFE/RL) -- An Estonian court today found a former Soviet security officer guilty of crimes against humanity for his participation in deportations of Estonian civilians. The court sentenced Yurii Karpov, 81, to an eight-year suspended sentence for his role in the 1949 deportation of 41 Estonians to Siberia. The court said that because of his age, Karpov will not serve the sentence if he doesn't commit a new crime within three years.
Karpov, who used to work as a senior officer in the Soviet Estonian state security ministry, has denied all charges.
More than 20,000 Estonian civilians were deported to Siberia in March 1949.
Karpov, who used to work as a senior officer in the Soviet Estonian state security ministry, has denied all charges.
More than 20,000 Estonian civilians were deported to Siberia in March 1949.