Other events in Baltic States

According to the most likely version, the recent remains discovered in a land plot in the town of Vilaka (eastern Latvia) were most likely persons working for a local dairy during World War II, who were executed by the KGB.

As LETA was informed by Vilaka Library's information specialist Vilis Bukss, the discovery of the remains have given the public ''a kick'', and more people are coming forward and trying to recollect their memories of what happened back then.

Several local residents, who were between the ages of 14 and 15 at the time, said that a dairy was located at that location during the Germany occupation period, where they exchanged milk for butter and cream. A cold storage area was also located next to the dairy. When the Soviet army occupied Latvia, the dairy was razed to the ground, and six persons who worked at the dairy went missing. According to the recollections, the dairy workers were executed by occupying Soviet KGB agents and buried on the spot.

The remains have also attracted much interest from persons all over Latvia, whose relatives were part of the Latvian guerilla movement and have not been able to locate their graves.

A criminal process has also been launched, which will be investigated by the Balvi Region Prosecutor's Office, in cooperation with the Prosecutor General's Office's Criminal Investigation Department.

As reported, earlier this month, workers digging in a land plot in Vilaka, near the town's library, came across a historical gravesite.

Bukss previously said that the workers came across the remains of six persons in three places.

With the help of local archeologists, the remains were carefully lifted out of the dig site, and the grave site has been cordoned off and sheltered so that further work can be carried out.

According to one version, the remains could be from World War II. This is a very likely version, as during the war a cheese and milk warehouse was located near the current dig site, which was used by both the occupying Nazi and Soviet regimes, Bukss said.

Furthermore, it has become clear that these persons died a violent death, as their skulls have gunshot holes.

Experts will try to determine the identity of the remains.

It is believed that this might not be the only such gravesite in the surrounding area, and the local government will have to make a decision on what to do next.