Estonian Authorities Still Barred From Meeting Captured Official
The Estonian consul in Moscow has not been allowed to meet the Estonian Internal Security (ISS) official who was reportedly kidnapped by the FSB, the Russian federal security agency, from Estonia early on Friday.
Foreign Minister Urmas Paet told ETV on Sunday evening that Russia is yet to officially announce the arrest of the Estonian citizen, having said on Friday evening that the official, named as Eston Kohver, has been apprehended by them.
He said Russian laws state that in case of apprehension of a foreign citizen, the country of origin of that citizen must be notified in 12 hours.
According to an agreement between the two nations, Estonian representatives must be able to meet any Estonian citizens held in Russia before 72 hours has passed, a deadline which runs out today.
According to Russian media, Kohver was arrested in the Pskov Oblast, and a court in Moscow has given clearance for him to be held for two months. If he is found guilty of spying, he could face a jail-term of between 10 and 20 years.