Estonia: accused of spying for China, scientist sentenced to three years in prison
In Estonia, scientist Tarmo Kouts has just been sentenced to three years in prison for espionage.
He had forged a solid reputation in the scientific world, which opened the doors to the scientific council of the Ministry of Defense, then to a NATO research center.
Positions that allowed him to have access to classified documents (illustrative image).
(DR)
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Estonian Tarmo Kouts has just been sentenced to three years in prison for espionage.
This scientist specializing in arctic lands had been collecting information on behalf of China for several years.
A novelty for Estonia which has been worried for several years about this growing threat.
This is what Delfi, a very popular online media in this Baltic country, has just revealed, in collaboration with an American media.
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With our correspondent in the Baltic States
,
Marielle Vitureau
In Estonia, Tarmo Kouts had forged a solid reputation in the scientific world.
Several of his research had won national awards.
This had opened the doors to the scientific council of the Ministry of Defense, then to a NATO research center.
Positions that allowed him to have access to classified documents.
His arrest last September had not been made public.
While Estonian spies working for Russia have already been arrested, this is the first case in which Beijing is involved.
In recent years, China has been specifically identified as a growing threat to Estonia's security.
Estonia, an interesting position for Beijing
The Baltic country's position between East and West and its development projects, such as the Rail Baltica railway line, are of particular interest to Beijing, according to the latest Estonian intelligence report.
This concern is perceptible in the three Baltic countries.
They also took their distance during the last summit of the “17 +1”, between China and the countries of central and eastern Europe, by being represented only at ministerial level.
A moderately appreciated distance.
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To read: China: the Communist Party would have infiltrated foreign companies and institutions
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