Estonia Foreign Minister in Riga: 'all possibilities' being considered in Kohver case

Take note – story published 9 years and 3 months ago

Speaking in Riga on Wednesday, Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand thanked Latvia and other friendly countries for support offered in the notorious Eston Kohver case and assured journalists that everything possible was being done to secure the security service agent's release from a Russian prison.

On Wednesday Kohver was sentenced to 15 years in prison by a Pskov court.

Asked if Kohver would appeal the sentence, Kaljurand said: "It's up to him whether he will appeal or not. From the government side I can say whatever decision he makes, we'll support him."

On the question of whether Estonia or its partners would be willing to trade a Russian agent for Kohver, Kaljurand replied: "I'm not going to speculate on what will happen next... but I can assure you the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and all other institutions in Estonia are at the moment looking at all possibilities... ALL possibilities that are available to bring Eston Kohver home as quickly as possible."

She also repeatedly thanked Latvia for its staunch support in the matter ad warned that the case had far wider significance than mutual relations between her country and the Russian Federation.

"If you look at the news today, statements [of support] are coming from many partners. Unfortunately the statements haven't changed Russia's position and haven't freed Eston Kohver. We will not stop here. We will continue with international pressure with our partners and allies until he will be liberated and he will be free to return back to Estonia.

"It's not only an Estonian-Russian thing. Today not one country can be sure that it can't happen in their territory with their citizens," she warned.

The full press conference can be watched (in Latvian and English) below.


 

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles

More

Most important