Vladimir Putin
Vladimir PutinReuters

An open letter from the heads of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation (IRWF) begs Russian President Vladimir Putin to release Wallenberg's body for burial. The IRWF is an NGO which boasts a membership of "over 300 heads of state...Nobel prize laureates and distinguished personalities from all walks of life."

"As you probably know, Raoul´s parents and his step-father are buried in Sweden and his half-sister, Nina, is alive and deserves to be able to visit her half-brother´s grave," the letter reads. "We also fondly remember Raoul´s half-brother, the late Professor Guy von Dardel, a great friend of our foundation; a man who devoted most of his life to bringing Raoul back home, alas, to no avail. "

Recently, diaries surfaced which indicate that the Soviet government executed Raoul Wallenberg while he sat in the Gulag.

"In light of the recent publication of General Ivan Serov´s diaries, may we respectfully ask you to consider the possibility of allowing free and unfettered access to the KGB archives in order to try and locate the remains of Raoul Wallenberg and Vilmos Langfelder and if possible, bring them back home for proper burial.

"Following such a humane gesture, the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation would offer to erect and deploy a major monument in Moscow, as a symbol of peace, solidarity and reconciliation and as a token of gratitude to Russia," the writers, Chairman Eduardo Eurnekian and founder Baruch Tenembaum, bargain.

"Our central mission is to preserve and spread the courageous legacy of Raoul Wallenberg and his likes, namely, women and men who reached out to others in need, regardless of race, religion or nationality, rescuers and rescued ones alike."

They added that they were not surprised by "the news of the emergence of former KGB Director, Ivan Serov´s diaries. According to the latter, the Swedish diplomat was killed in the Soviet Union under orders from Joseph Stalin."

"In fact, Mr. Serov´s diaries corroborate an official written statement we received 10 years earlier (on June 15, 2006) from the then Deputy Chief of Mission of the Russian Federation in Washington DC, Mr. Alexander Darchiev...As you can see Mr. President, the high-ranking and experienced diplomat was clear and unequivocal in stating that 'Mr. Wallenberg died, or most likely perished in the USSR on July 17, 1947.' He emphasized that 'the death of Mr. Wallenberg lies with the USSR leadership of that time and on Stalin personally.'

Below is an excerpt of the 2006 letter:

The fate of Raoul Wallenberg
The fate of Raoul Wallenberg

After receiving the letter, the IRWF's efforts to find him redoubled.

"A few years ago, our NGO offered a significant financial reward of 500,000 Euros to any person or entity able to come-up with scientifically verifiable information regarding the fate and/or whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg and his chauffeur, Vilmos Langfelder."

The writers hurried to clarify that "we are certainly not seeking an investigation into the circumstances of Wallenberg and Langfelder´s detention and disappearance. These events occurred long ago amidst a particular historical context, in the wake of humanity´s bloodiest war. Our sole aim is to bring closure to a human tragedy."

In conclusion:

"Raoul Wallenberg was one of the greatest heroes in the history of mankind...We strongly believe that Raoul Wallenberg deserves our recognition and that Russia, as a world leader, deserves to play a key role in this human endeavor."

Thanking you in advance for your kind attention, we remain at your disposal should you require any additional information from our end, we remain,

Eduardo Eurnekian
Chairman
Baruch Tenembaum
Founder