An Estonian court ruled today that arson attacks on a restaurant and a supermarket in Estonia committed this year were ordered by Russian intelligence, the Associated Press reported, BTA reported.
These acts are part of a series of similar acts of aggression in Europe that the West links to Russia. The aim is to divide the international community and undermine support for Ukraine, the AP notes.
The Harju District Court announced that two Moldovan citizens participated in the arson attacks. They are cousins and have the same name - Ivan Chikhayal.
The one - named as the perpetrator, was sentenced to 6 and a half years in prison for arson of a restaurant and supermarket, which, according to the court, was carried out on behalf of the Russian intelligence services.
The other was found guilty as an accomplice. He was sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison.
The court decision mentioned that the task was assigned to the perpetrator Ivan Chikhayal by the Russian military intelligence (GRU). He made a "rehearsal" on the instructions of the GRU in January of this year, when he set fire to a supermarket in the village of Osula, southeastern Estonia.
The next day, on behalf of the GRU, he was ordered to set fire to the "Glory to Ukraine" restaurant in the Estonian capital Tallinn.
Chikhayal drove to the restaurant with his cousin of the same name on the evening of January 31 this year. There, they caused a fire and left Estonia. The court ruled that the accomplice had no idea that he was acting on orders from the GRU.
Latvia, Lithuania and Poland were involved in the operation to detain the two Moldovans, the AP said, adding that they were ultimately detained in Italy.