The Viru County Court of Estonia found Igor Lobin guilty of intelligence activities aimed against the country's security and sentenced him to five years in prison, reported the Estonian prosecutor's office. He was also fined 2215 euros.
According to the accusation, since 2017, Igor Lobin has knowingly acted in the interests of the FSB and at its behest in the field of intelligence activities aimed against Estonia's security. He also informed Russian special services about the «readiness of various state structures for crises».
The Deputy Director of the country's Security Police (KaPo) Taavi Narits told the publication Postimees that Lobin was a technical inspector. He did not have access to confidential information, but he regularly visited Russia and communicated with a curator from a separate phone, who was recorded as a fishing tackle seller.
«Lobin received minimal compensation, and essentially only his transportation and other operational expenses were covered. He was a classic ideological agent», claims Narits. According to the KaPo representative, more than 300 St. George ribbons were found in Lobin's house: it is considered a symbol of Russian aggression in Estonia.
«This case is already a familiar FSB signature for us and illustrates their usual methods and tactics of obtaining information and dividing society. Cooperation with Russian special services does not remain a secret and sooner or later will receive a decisive response», stated the Deputy Director General of the State Security Service Taavi Narits.