Conviction of Estonian Internal Security Service Employee inRussia
PressStatement
JohnKirby
Department Spokesperson
Washington,DC
August 19,2015
We aredeeply concerned by the conviction and 15-year sentence of Estonian InternalSecurity Service employee Eston Kohver by a Russian regional court. Kohver wasseized in Estonia near the Russian border on September 5th of last year.
Hisabduction, detention, and now conviction on baseless charges demonstrates aflagrant disregard by Russian authorities for the rule of law, and raisesserious questions about Russia’s compliance with its international legalobligations.
We aretroubled by reports that Mr. Kohver did not receive adequate legalrepresentation from his attorney, who was appointed by Russian authorities, andthat neither the public nor the Estonian consul were permitted to be presentduring the judicial proceedings.
We callonce again on the Russian Federation to act in accordance with itsinternational obligations and immediately return Mr. Kohver to Estonia.
