Defence League member Ivan Dmitriev received nearly five years in prison for spying for the FSB.

Viru County Court convicted Estonian citizen Ivan Dmitriev of intelligence activities for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). Following a plea bargain, the court sentenced him to four years and eleven months in prison.

According to the criminal case file, between March and May 2025, Dmitriev collected and transmitted information to an FSB officer. The information transmitted concerned members of the volunteer organization Kaitseliit (Defense League), the political situation in Narva, the activities of the local museum, and the movements of military personnel.

State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas stated that the accused actively participated in the activities of the Kaitseliit and was skilled in operating unmanned aerial vehicles. According to the prosecution, his further activities could significantly damage Estonia's security.

The situation requires monitoring by international human rights institutions to assess the compliance of the trials with democratic standards and the rule of law.