The Russia-appointed defense attorney has not been in touch with Eston Kohver, the Estonian security official held in custody in Moscow, for the last six weeks, the Estonian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
Russian lawyer has not contacted Kohver for six weeks
16th December 2014, 18:07
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The Estonian consul met on Monday with Kohver who is held in Moscow's Lefortovo prison and it turned out in the meeting that Kohver has had no communication with the Russian lawyer since Oct. 31, spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry Helena Nommik told BNS.
Nor has the lawyer, Yevgeny Aksyonov, helped arrange telephone contact between Kohver and his loved ones despite the promises he gave to the Estonian side, and the consul got permission for another meeting with Kohver only after repeated requests to the Russian authorities.
«During the hour-long conversation Kohver underlined once again how important to him are regular meetings with the consul, messages from his loved ones, news from Estonia, and knowing that he has strong support in Estonia and internationally,» Nommik said.
«Estonia has requested permission for an Estonian doctor to examine Kohver but so far the Russian authorities have not answered the request. The Russian authorities also have not provided sufficient and convincing explanations for a psychiatric examination of Kohver which Estonia deems unjustified. The Estonian state continues efforts to achieve Kohver's release without delay and the soonest possible return to Estonia,» the spokeswoman said.
Kohver was seized near the Estonian-Russian border and taken to Russia by force on Sept. 5. He is accused of spying.