A 20-year-old Russian IT programmer is suspected of cyber espionage. He was traveling from Estonia to Russia and was detained at the border crossing in Narva.
According to the local media, the Estonian Security Police(KaPo) allowed the suspect to work for some time unhindered, as a result of which he was linked to the Security Service of Russian Federation.
Authorities said that he is a member of the FSB and was preparing a mass cyber attack on the computer systems of the Estonian State Institutions. According to them, the Russians was trying to make some device or computer program with which he can get access to local computer systems.
Elena Vladimirovna, mother of the suspect, told media that it is completely unexpected for her since her son was never seen in any unlawful actions.
"Of course, I hope that everything will end well and we will be able to prove his innocence." Elena was quoted as saying by Local Media Sputnik. "However, the services of a good lawyer cost a lot of money, which I do not have. Perhaps, the Russian embassy will be able to help us in some way, but I will not let my son to Estonia again never"
The Russian Embassy in Estonia is ready to help. The Embassy asked Estonian Foreign Ministry to give permission to meet the arrested person.
A criminal case has been instituted against the suspect under article 233 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Estonia "Non-violent acts of an alien directed against the Republic of Estonia" and article 216 "Preparing a computer crime". He faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.
- Christina
