Nazi SS veterans march in Latvia

A Latvian Legion veteran walks past demonstrators on his way to the Monument of Freedom in Riga. Latvians who take part in the annual procession claim they want to commemorate compatriots killed in the war, while ethnic Russian protesters accuse them of whitewashing history and having Nazi sympathies Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/guardian.co.uk Lines of Latvian flags channel the procession Photograph: Roman Koksarov/AP Photograph: Roman Koksarov/guardian.co.uk Demonstrators protest against the Legionnaires' Day events, accusing supporters of glorifying fascism Photograph: Valda Kalnina/EPA Photograph: Valda Kalnina/guardian.co.uk A Latvian Legion veteran, who fought on Nazi Germany's side in the second world war, walks to the Monument of Freedom Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/guardian.co.uk Veterans lay commemorative roses at the memorial Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/guardian.co.uk The Latvian Legion, which was a part of Hitler's Waffen SS, was ostensibly a band of volunteers to protect Latvia against Russia Photograph: Roman Koksarov/AP Photograph: Roman Koksarov/guardian.co.uk The march commemorates a major battle in 1944 when Latvian defenders fought off Russian invaders Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/guardian.co.uk Police escort Latvian Legion veterans to the Monument of Freedom Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ilmars Znotins/guardian.co.uk