Estonian President strips officer accused of spying for Russia of all military ranks
Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid stripped serviceman Denis Metsavas of all military ranks after he was convicted of spying for Russian military intelligence, reported ERR news outlet. Metsavas lost every rank he received from 1999 to 2015, from Warrant Officer to Major.
On February 11, the Harju County Court sentenced 38-year-old Denis and his 65-year-old father Pjotr Volin to imprisonment for espionage. Denis was sentenced to 15 years and 6 months of imprisonment and his father to 6 years of imprisonment. Their sentences began with their detention in September 2018.
"Convicted father and son collected secret information and interdepartmental data and handed them to Russia. Denis has also been engaged in criminal activities for more than 10 years, and his father acted as a liaison,” the statement read.
The accused delivered the stolen information in person or through a liaison channel and received money for their "work."
Last year, Russia and Estonia exchanged prisoners who were convicted of espionage.