Estonian Court Jails Russian Entrepreneur Over EU Sanctions, Military-Linked Goods Cited

An Estonian court has found Russian entrepreneur Ivan Anchevsky guilty of violating European Union sanctions and sentenced him to three years and six months in prison.

According to ERR on March 6, the court determined that Anchevsky, together with companies connected to him—Russia's Melitek LLC and the Estonian-registered Melitec Europe—facilitated the illegal supply of sanctioned equipment from Switzerland to Russia.

The equipment in question was prohibited under EU sanctions imposed in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

However, the court acquitted Anchevsky on charges related to the supply of dual-use goods, which could potentially have military applications. Estonian State Prosecutor Vahur Verte explained that if these charges had been proven, the punishment could have reached up to ten years in prison.

The prosecution argued that the equipment supplied could have been used for military purposes, including drone control systems, but the company maintained that the technology was intended for scientific research.

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In a separate case, Estonia’s Internal Security Service (Kapo) has detained blogger Oleg Besedin on suspicion of engaging in activities against Estonia and violating international sanctions.

Investigators alleged that Besedin has been cooperating with individuals connected to Russian intelligence services since at least 2022 and has participated in Russia’s information influence operations. These activities are seen as part of Moscow's broader efforts to interfere in Estonia’s internal affairs.

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Authorities also suspect Besedin of distributing content from Russian media outlets that are under EU sanctions, a violation considered a crime against peace. Chief State Prosecutor Taavi Pern emphasized, “In Estonia, non-violent activities aimed against the Republic of Estonia that harm our independence, sovereignty, or territorial integrity are punishable as state crimes.”

Earlier, Sweden’s Security Service apprehended a Russian national in Stockholm in late December following a request from the United States. The man, who had been sought internationally since the previous summer, now faces the possibility of being extradited to the US.

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