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A first-tier court in Estonia on Tuesday ruled not to grant early release on parole to Herman Simm who was convicted of treason in 2009.
Estonian court denies early release to traitor Herman Simm
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The Tartu County Court found that early release of Simm, 67, is not possible at present first and foremost because of the circumstances of the crime he committed. The part of the sentence he has served to date is not commensurate with the dangerousness of the crime, his behavior, the risks involved and the purpose of the punishment. In the court's view, the punishment has not achieved its objective.
Simm has served six years and four months or more than a half of his sentence. Under law he would now have had the opportunity to be released early but only under electronic surveillance.
Early release was supported by Tartu Prison but opposed by senior prosecutor Kretel Tamm from the Southern District Prosecutor's Office.
Simm, a former high-ranking public servant, was found guilty of treason and sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison in February 2009. His sentence began on Sept. 19, 2008 and ends on March 18, 2021.
The court ruling can be appealed within 10 days of receipt.