In 1998 Latvian authorities began investigating Tess' role in the deportations, and in March 2001 he was formally charged with genocide and crimes against humanity.
[2] The Baltic Times reported that Tess claimed the deportees were treated well in Russia, and quoted him as saying "They were allowed to buy cows and goats – that's some genocide".
[3] He was found guilty on December 16, 2003, and sentenced to 2 years of suspended imprisonment after a lengthy process delayed by ill health.
[4] Many human rights groups also raised concerns that Tess and other minor officials had been selectively prosecuted in order to appease growing anti-Russian sentiment in the country.
Concerning the merits, the complaint was rejected due to non-exhaustion of domestic remedies – Tess had not contested the law the conviction was based on before the Constitutional Court.