BRUSSELS - The Russian nationalist youth movement, Nashi, staged a demonstration in front of the European Commission building Sep. 26 as part of what it called "antifascist action".
Demonstrators also accused some of the most internationally-respected Baltic political figures of recent times of harboring fascist sympathies.
Four Nashi activists took up positions next to the building, used flowers to spell the the slogan "Stop FaSSism" on the sidewalk and placed next to it miniature posters carrying accusations against Estonian and Latvian leaders.
Specific targets were Estonia's ex-President Arnold Ruutel and former Latvian head of state Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Nashi displayed KGB-style 'dossiers' on both outlining their supposed role in the spread of fascism in their countries, and claiming that both were favorably inclined toward racial hatred and crimes against humanity.
Other targets included present Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, Defense Minister Jaak Aaviksoo, Justice Minister Rein Lang, Interior Minister Juri Pihl and Foreign Minister Urmas Paet. Of Latvian politicians, Nashi pointed the finger at President Valdis Zatlers and members of parliament Karlis Sadurskis, Juris Dobelis and Dzintars Jaundzeikars.
The movement had previously announced its intention to seek meetings with all members of the European Commission, but a spokesman for the executive arm of the European Union said that he was unaware of Nashi's action and therefore had no comment on it.
