FINLAND'S TARNISHED HOLOCAUST RECORD

Finland's Tarnished Holocaust Record - Interview with Serah Beizer
A few years ago it became public that Finland had handed over almost three thousand Soviet prisoners of war to the Germans during World War II. Until that time Finland had the reputation of a country that protected all its Jews, except for eight Central European Jewish refugees who were handed over to the Gestapo. At least seventy Soviet Jewish prisoners were extradited to the Gestapo.

The Finnish government has appointed a historical commission to investigate the deaths, extraditions, and deportations of Soviet prisoners of war and others to the Germans. Author Elina Sana, who has played a crucial role in bringing the matter to public attention, says in her book that Finland should establish a truth commission. There was little punishment for war criminals in Finland. It now seems that a large part of Finland's tarnished wartime record will never be revealed. (Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)