Russia’s abduction of Estonian officer ‘very disturbing’

Estonia announced that the Russian intelligence service, the FSB, had seized one of its border officers, Eston Kohver, at gunpoint on the 5 September 2014 near the Luhamaa checkpoint on the Estonian side of the border while he was investigating arms smugglers.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry told EUObserver Mr Kohver was refused consular assistance in violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

Euronews announced on the 11 September that Russian authorities were charging Mr Kohver with spying. He could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Obama in Estonia ahead of Nato summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/obama-in-estonia-ahead-of-nato-summit/

The Guardian, 07.09.14: Russia says detained Estonian police officer is a spy http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/07/russia-estonia-police-spying-intelligence-eston-kohver

The Guardian, 07.09.14: Russians open new front after Estonian official is captured in 'cross-border raid' http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/07/russia-parades-detained-estonian-police-officer

Postimees, 05.09.14: Estonian security police officer kidnapped, taken to Russia at gunpoint http://news.postimees.ee/2911015/estonian-security-police-officer-kidnapped-taken-to-russia-at-gunpoint

Postimees, 08.09.14: The new «cross and grab» reality http://news.postimees.ee/2912931/the-new-cross-and-grab-reality

The Guardian, 08.09.14: Estonia says official seized by Russia was lured into FSB trap http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/08/estonia-russia-fsb-trap-eston-kohver

BBC News, 08.09.14: Russia 'blocks Estonia' over captive border security man http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29115865

Euronews, 11.09.14: Russian charges Estonian ‘spy’ http://www.euronews.com/2014/09/11/russian-charges-estonian-spy/

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