Soviet war hero Arnold Meri (L), accused

Soviet war hero Arnold Meri (L), accused of genocide for having organized the deportation of 251 Estonian civilians to Siberia in March 1949, waits on May 20, 2008 for the start of his trial in the court of the town of Kardla on Hiiumaa island. The 88-year-old, who could face a life sentence if convicted, has pleaded not guilty and insists he has less than year to live. More than 20,000 Estonian civilians were deported to Siberia in March 1949. Around 3,000 died there, while others were allowed to return to Estonia after the death of Stalin in 1953. AFP PHOTO / STR -ESTONIA OUT- (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)