TALLINN. Aug 13 (Interfax) - The Russian Embassy to Estonia has accused the country's authorities of promoting pro-Nazi sentiments within its society and glorifying Nazism.
Estonia hosted yet another, 15th military sports event called Erna, "so named in honor of the eponymous Abwehr intelligence group," the embassy said in a statement obtained by Interfax on Tuesday.
A relatively high number of its participants "was ensured by the consolidated financial and organizational support from the Estonian Defense Ministry, local units of the Kaitseliit organization (the Estonian Defense League), the Estonian Red Cross and a number of businesses invited by the government, including the regional office of the Japanese company Nissan," the statement said.
"By staging such gatherings, the Estonian authorities are effectively engaged in the 'Hitlerjugend-ization' of the younger generation, romanticizing fascists and specific perpetrators of the Nazi crimes in the eyes of the young people," the Russian diplomatic mission said.
The Erna game, along with the recent traditional jamborees of former legionnaires from the Waffen-SS Division, is a testament to the Estonian authorities' desire "to continue sowing pro-Nazi sentiments within the Estonian society through glorification of Nazism and its apologists," the embassy said.
Later on Tuesday, the Estonian Foreign Ministry expressed its discontent over the Russian Embassy's view on the Erna game held under the aegis of the Tallinn authorities.
"With its statement the Russian Embassy is spreading lies and inciting hatred towards Estonia," the Estonian ministry said on Tuesday.
"This deserves particular condemnation as it has chosen one of the most tragic events, the Second World War, for that," the ministry said in a press release.
"(Estonia) condemned and condemns all crimes against humanity and repressive regimes," the document said.
The Foreign Ministry urged the Russian Embassy "to stop spreading lies and respect the memory of those fallen in the Second World War."