Luik: Kohver hearing a show trial and sentence will be long
Former Estonian ambassador to Moscow, Jüri Luik, said the trial of kidnapped Estonian security official Eston Kohver is just for show and he is likely to receive a long sentence. The Pskov court is expected to make a ruling on August 19.
“The prosecution is asking for a 16-year sentence and looking at Russia's judicial practice, the sentence will be close to that,” Luik, who is now the head of the International Center for Defense and Security, told Eesti Päevaleht.
“It is hard to decipher all the components that have an effect on Russia's behavior with rational and analytical methods. In my opinion, it is their irrational wish to put one country in its place, to demonstrate Russia's power and superiority,” he said.
“I believe the Estonian public understands that those who call themselves judges, lawyers, prosecutors, are in reality just actors,” said Luik.
“For me, Kohver is a real hero. If a person leaves home for work in the morning, says goodbye to his family and in 24 hours finds himself in the Lefortovo prison in Moscow, and despite all that has kept his determination and his sense of humor, as reported by our consul, then that person has a lot of substance,” he said.
Editor: J.M. Laats