MOSCOW, September 23 (RAPSI) – Eston Kohver, an Estonian security officer who was sentenced in Russia to 15 years in prison for espionage, has been transferred to Moscow’s Butyrka Prison, RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday, citing the Estonian Foreign Ministry’s press service.

“The Estonian Foreign Ministry received a Russian Federal Penal Service letter to this effect, dated September 11, on Tuesday evening (September 22). The Estonian Embassy has been trying to arrange a Consul General’s meeting with Eston Kohver,” the statement says.

Last week, the Charge d’Affaires at the Estonian Embassy in Moscow delivered a request to the Russian Foreign Ministry asking for information about Kohver’s whereabouts.
On August 19, the Pskov Regional Court found Eston Kohver guilty of espionage, illegal trafficking and weapons possession and illegal border crossing, and sentenced him to 15 years in a high-security prison and a 100,000 ($1,500) ruble fine.

Kohver was detained on September 5, 2014, in the Pskov Region that borders Estonia. He had a Taurus handgun, ammunition, 5,000 euros and special covert recording equipment, according to the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Kohver was allegedly involved in an Estonian Interior Ministry security police operation.

The Estonian authorities claim that Kohver was abducted while conducting a cross-border investigation.