Estonia Professor Jailed for Spying for Russia
Estonian officials have sentenced Viacheslav Morozov, a Russian university professor, to six years and three months in prison for spying on behalf of Russian military intelligence. Morozov, who taught at Estonia’s most prestigious university, was found guilty of undermining the security of the Baltic state by collecting information on defense and security policies, as well as social and political issues in Estonia. The court found that Morozov provided Moscow with sensitive information over the 14 years he operated in the country until his arrest in January.
Estonian-Russian relations have been strained since Estonia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Estonian officials are concerned about Russian espionage activities in the country, with Moscow showing particular interest in Estonia’s security and defense policies, as well as the situation in Ukraine. Morozov, who was recruited by the GRU, Russian’s military intelligence arm, in the early 1990s, used his position as a professor to gather information by attending conferences and interacting with key individuals.
Estonian authorities have warned against travel to Russia, as Russian intelligence services are aggressively trying to recruit Estonians for espionage activities. The case involving Morozov is part of a broader campaign by Russia that includes espionage, sabotage, and attacks across Europe. This year alone, 13 people have been arrested in Estonia over attacks allegedly organized by Russian military intelligence, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two countries.
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