Hundreds of Latvians have gathered in downtown Riga to commemorate World War II veterans who fought on the side of Nazi Germany in Waffen SS detachments.
A small group of mainly ethnic Russians also have assembled nearby to protest the ceremony, which they claim glorifies fascism and discredits the Soviet Union's enormous sacrifice in defeating Nazi Germany.
A large police contingent is on hand to keep the two sides apart.
Participants in Wednesday's ceremony, including a small number of veterans, will attend a church service and then proceed to the Freedom Monument, where they will lay flowers and sing patriotic songs.
The annual event evokes strong feelings in ethnically divided Latvia.
CJBK
