Estonian court sentences woman to 3 years for spying for Russia

TALLINN - The Tartu County Court sentenced on Tuesday Erna Moisejeva, aged 63, to three years in prison for spying on behalf of Russia.

The court found Moisejeva guilty of engaging in and supporting intelligence activities against the Republic of Estonia, as well as attempting to violate sanctions, and imposed a combined sentence of three years in prison. She must also pay court costs totaling 3,140 euros.

According to the charges, Moisejeva established a connection in Russia with an operative of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), who assigned her tasks to collect information from Estonia for FSB interests. Moisejeva gathered and transmitted information about Estonia and people working there, thus conducting and aiding intelligence activities against Estonia.

Moisejeva was also charged with attempting to violate international sanctions. Russia is subject to international sanctions that prohibit exporting luxury goods from Estonia to Russia. Moisejeva tried twice to enter Russia from Estonia on foot while carrying expensive wines as luxury items, but customs officials intervened. Her attempt constituted an offense under the law establishing international sanctions, but it was not completed due to circumstances beyond her control.

The judgment has yet to enter into force.