TALLINN. Feb 19 (Interfax) - The trial of individuals charged with treason and actions to Russia's benefit began at the Harju County Court in Estonia on Monday.
The state prosecution service charged Estonian citizens Aivo Peterson and Dmitry Rootsi of treason and Russian citizen Andrei Antonov of non-violent actions committed by a foreign individual against Estonia.
According to rus.postimees, they are accused of attempts to establish a political organization supporting Russia's foreign policy on Estonian territory.
Peterson, the leader of the Koos/Together movement arrested on March 10, 2023, is the chief prisoner in the dock. Peterson stood in the parliamentary elections on March 5, 2002, in the predominantly Russian-speaking northeast of Estonia as a member of the United Left Party, was quite popular and gained 3,968 votes, which, however, was not enough to win the election.
None of the defendants pleaded guilty.
Their lawyers called the charges general and incomplete, and said there was no proof of their clients' culpability.