Russia Sentences Estonian Cop To Hard Labour

Russia held Eston Kohver on espionage charges in September last year, saying he was caught on Russian territory. But the Estonian government insists he was taken at gunpoint at a border crossing.
Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said: "I strongly condemn the verdict on Eston Kohver. His illegal detention constitutes a grave violation of international law by the Russian Federation."


Relations between the two countries have been strained since Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine last year, and the sentence is likely to sour them further.

The European Union said Mr Kohver's detention in Russia was illegal and demanded his immediate release.

Its foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said: "Mr Kohver has been deprived of the right to a fair trial. There was no public hearing of the case."

His sentence will be served in a Russian hard labour camp.

Estonian foreign minister Marina Kaljurand said: "Together with our allies and partners, we intend to keep up international pressure until Eston Kohver is released and has returned home to his family."

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said Mr Kohver was arrested carrying a Taurus handgun with ammunition, cash and audio recording equipment.

Estonia insists that he was taken trying to stop illegal activity on the border when unidentified abductors jammed radio communications and used smoke grenades.

In recent years the border has become a focal point for the smuggling of goods, weapons and migrants.