Officials of the Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) last week detained a man heading to Russia at the Narva border crossing point who is suspected of working as an agent of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
Estonian officials detain suspected Russian FSB agent
The Harju county court at the request of the prosecutor took the Russian citizen into custody on Monday, spokespeople for the Office of the Prosecutor General said on Tuesday.
The man is suspected of a non-violent offense against the Estonian state as an FSB agent and preparing for a computer-related crime. According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the target of the man's activities were Estonian state institutions.
According to state prosecutor Inna Ombler who is leading the criminal proceeding, the suspicion of a criminal offense against the state is a serious crime. "Acting against the Republic of Estonia as an agent of a foreign power's special service is definitely a serious crime and we will find out all important details as soon as possible," Ombler said. "At present we can say without disclosing any details that bigger damage was prevented," she added.
A criminal investigation has been launched, and it is being led by the Office of the Prosecutor General and carried out by the ISS.