KGB Past Not a Factor in Case Against Fishermen, Says Prosecution
Carol Merzin, a spokesman for the Prosecutor's Office, said the background of the two fishermen arrested after crossing into Estonian waters will play no part in the current case against them.
Merzin said the men, who do not have permanent residence in Estonia, were arrested and charged with violating the border and resisting arrest, and there is reason to believe they will escape if released on bail.
The charges could net the fishermen, both former KGB officers, a one-year prison sentence and a fine.
The border guards apprehended the two men on September 20 on the Narva River. Indrek Püvi, head of the local border guard station, said the incident and the charges are under investigation.
Lyubov Zabinyak, the top Russian consul in Narva, said Estonia has never before arrested Russian citizens for illegally crossing into Estonia.
The consul said Russian representatives have already met the men and they have no complaints about the conditions of the jail in Jõhvi.
The press service for the Russian FSB border guard office said the two men did enter Estonia, but to an extent of 10 meters, adding that previously cases such as these would have only resulted in a fine but the Estonian side has decided to apply the full force of the law.