Russia has sentenced an Estonian security officer to 15 years in prison for spying.

The lawyer for Eston Kohver told reporters a regional court in the western Russian city of Pskov handed down the ruling Wednesday, finding Kohver guilty of spying, arms smuggling, and violating border regulations.

Russia says Kohver illegally crossed the border into Russia in September 2014 and was apprehended.

Estonia says Kohver was kidnapped by unknown gunmen and taken forcibly across the Russian border. Estonian officials say he was investigating a smuggling operation involving Russian intelligence agents.

Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas released a statement shortly after the verdict, saying Kohver’s “abduction” and “illegal detention” has been “illegitimate since the beginning.”

He said Estonia continues to fully support Kohver and is doing everything possible to free him from Russia.

Russian media say Kohver will be sent to a high-security prison in Russian territory and will also be fined the equivalent of about $1500 U.S. dollars.
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