Estonian security official's case reaches Pskov court

Photo: Jaanus Piirsalu

The case of Eston Kohver, the staffer of the Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) held in Russia in investigation isolator, has been referred to court and will be tried soon, spokesperson for the Pskov Regional Court Yulia Pron told Interfax on Tuesday.

«Kohver's case with the indictment attached has been referred to the court. The judges are to convene on Tuesday to decide on a restriction measure for Kohver,» Pron said, adding that Kohver's detention period expires on June 5.

Pron also said that the date of the hearings of the case would be chosen within days after the court decides on the restraint measure.

Kohver is being charged with espionage, violation of the state border and smuggling of a firearm.

The Internal Security Service said on Sept. 5, 2014 that a member of their staff had been deprived of his freedom on Estonian territory near the checkpoint of Luhamaa on the Estonian-Russian border and taken to Russia by unidentified individuals coming from Russia at 9 a.m. that morning. The official, who was performing official duties related to the prevention of cross-border crime, was taken to Russia at gunpoint using physical force. The abduction was preceded by interference of operational radio communication and use of a smoke grenade from the direction of Russia.

Kohver has been held in the Lefortovo prison of Moscow since.

At the beginning of this month a court of the Lefortovo region extended custody for the Estonian official until June 5.