 |
 |
 |
Sweden The conflict about the "extradition of the Baltic legionaries" from 1945/46 became a Swedish trauma in connection with the Second World War. German and Soviet soldiers had been extradited by request of the Soviet authorities without causing scarcely a reaction in Sweden. The criticism arose when the Baltic legionaries who had fought with the Germans were supposed to be extradited. Sweden felt a close historical bond with Estonia and Latvia. |
 |
Dramatic scenes occurred during the deportations. Many of the interned Baltic soldiers committed self-mutilation or suicide in their desperation. The debate about the extradition soon quieted down, however. It was first stirred up again by the publication of Per Olof Enquist's novel "The Legionaries" in 1968. The book was followed by a dramatized documentary film, "Baltutlämningen" ("A Baltic Tragedy", 1970), which also made use of contemporary photographs. The poster shows the barracks of a camp in front of which the Swedish police are transporting the legionaries away. A blood-red splotch on the upper edge of the picture makes one think of what is going to happen to the prisoners when they are deported. |
  |
|
