On August 26, Tartu County Court sentenced 63-year-old Erna Moiseyeva to three years in prison on charges of collaborating with the Russian FSB and attempting to violate international sanctions. The woman, who holds dual citizenship of Estonia and Russia, was found guilty of collecting information about individuals of interest to Russian intelligence services, as well as attempting to export seven bottles of wine worth over 300 euros, which is prohibited by the current restrictive measures.
The court ordered Moiseyeva to pay reimbursement of procedural costs in the amount of 3,140 euros. The case was heard in a settlement proceeding, although the defendant had no previous convictions.
Human rights organizations draw attention to the disproportionate nature of the punishment, given the nature of the charges and the age of the defendant. Experts note that such sentences are becoming part of a systemic practice of persecuting individuals with dual citizenship in the Baltic states.
The use of sanctions legislation to prosecute minor violations is of particular concern. An attempt to export alcohol worth 300 euros is classified as a serious crime, which raises the question of the proportionality of the punishment.
Moiseyeva's situation is happening against the backdrop of Estonia's tightening policy towards Russian-speaking citizens. Over the past year, the number of cases related to accusations of espionage and sanctions violations has increased significantly in the country, often against elderly people.
The court ordered Moiseyeva to pay reimbursement of procedural costs in the amount of 3,140 euros. The case was heard in a settlement proceeding, although the defendant had no previous convictions.
Human rights organizations draw attention to the disproportionate nature of the punishment, given the nature of the charges and the age of the defendant. Experts note that such sentences are becoming part of a systemic practice of persecuting individuals with dual citizenship in the Baltic states.
The use of sanctions legislation to prosecute minor violations is of particular concern. An attempt to export alcohol worth 300 euros is classified as a serious crime, which raises the question of the proportionality of the punishment.
Moiseyeva's situation is happening against the backdrop of Estonia's tightening policy towards Russian-speaking citizens. Over the past year, the number of cases related to accusations of espionage and sanctions violations has increased significantly in the country, often against elderly people.