http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/world/Former+minister+becomes+first+Hungarian+communist+leader/9630866/story.html BUDAPEST, Hungary - Former interior minister Bela Biszku has become the first communist leader to stand trial in Hungary for war crimes since the end of the Soviet-backed regime in 1990.

The 92-year-old Biszku is facing charges related to reprisals against civilians after the anti-Soviet revolution of 1956. He chose not to testify at Tuesday's first court session but in earlier statements denied committing any crimes and said he was innocent.

Biszku was part of the Communist Party's ruling interim executive committee after the October 1956 uprising was quickly crushed by Soviet forces. The committee created armed militias to carry out the repression, including firing indiscriminately into crowds at two rallies in December 1956, hitting 49 people.