Norway calls for return of Eston Kohver to Estonia
Historical archive
Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: regjeringen.no
Press release | Date: 19/08/2015
The Estonian police officer Eston Kohver has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Pskov regional court in Russia. 'This is a deeply disturbing development and I reiterate the call for Eston Kohver's immediate release and safe return to Estonia,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.
On 5 September 2014, Eston Kohver was abducted on Estonian territory and subsequently illegally detained in Russia. Norway has repeatedly called for Mr. Kohver's immediate release and safe return to Estonia. Russian authorities have failed to solve the issue.
Mr. Kohver has been deprived of the right to a fair trial. There was no public hearing of the case, the Estonian consul was not allowed to be present at the hearings and Mr. Kohver did not have access to adequate legal aid.