14 Facts About Arnold Meri

Arnold Meri was a Soviet World War II veteran and the first Estonian Hero of the Soviet Union.

Arnold Meri was a first cousin of the President of Estonia, Lennart Meri.

At the time of his death, Meri was an honorary chairman of the Estonian Anti-Fascist Committee.

Arnold Meri's parents were Konstantin, an Estonian, and Olga, a Russified German from Saint Petersburg, the daughter of a wealthy merchant.

In 1926, due to economic reasons and political convictions, Arnold Meri's family emigrated to Yugoslavia, which was the main centre of the White emigrants.

Arnold Meri completed Russian primary school in Skopje and at the Russian-Serbian Gymnasium in Belgrade in 1938.

Arnold Meri was wounded four times during the battle while serving as a platoon commander in north-west Russia in 1941.

Arnold Meri was specifically commended for remaining on the battlefield despite being wounded four times.

In 2003, the Estonia Security Police investigated Arnold Meri for participating in the deportations of Estonians in Hiiumaa in 1949.

Arnold Meri had acknowledged taking part in the deportations, but denied responsibility.

Arnold Meri claimed that he was unable to control the abuses of the local authorities and withdrew from the process.

Arnold Meri maintained that he was targeted by the current Estonian authorities in retaliation for his anti-fascist activities and harsh critique of the Estonian government.

Arnold Meri died in his sleep on 27 March 2009 at the age of 89.

Arnold Meri was interred on 1 April 2009 in the Liiva Cemetery on the outskirts of Tallinn in a funeral which was attended by several hundred people.