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Estonia Foils Pro-Kremlin Coup Plot Backed by Russian Intelligence
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![Amira_barkhush]( "Photo of Amira Barkhush")
Estonian officials have uncovered a plot to overthrow the government, allegedly orchestrated by pro-Kremlin political figures with backing from Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU). The case was announced by State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas, as reported by Postimees on May 27.
Among those on trial are Aivo Peterson, leader of the pro-Russian political party Koos , and his associates Dmitry Rootsi and Andrei Andronov.
According to the prosecution, following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and no later than November 2022, the defendants began forming a paramilitary group under the guise of a charitable organization. Their objective: to destabilize the country and seize power.
In messages presented to the court, Peterson reportedly described the group as a future force that would “ensure security and perform military functions” in the event of a “power vacuum.”
Estonia’s intelligence services claim the group received strategic direction and financial support from the GRU. Prosecutor Olev-Aas noted that similar Russian-backed paramilitary formations were used to sow unrest in Ukraine in 2014.
The prosecutor is seeking a 17-year prison sentence for Peterson on charges of treason, 13 years for Rootsi on similar grounds, and 11 years for Andronov, who is accused of non-violent actions against the Estonian state.
On May 21, the United Kingdom publicly accused Russia’s military intelligence agency of orchestrating a wide-ranging cyber campaign aimed at undermining Western logistical and technological support for Ukraine.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
