The Riga City Court sentenced former member of the Latvian Seimas Janis Adamsons to 8 years and 6 months in prison with a probationary period of two years in the case of espionage for Russia, Interfax reports.
In addition, the court sentenced Russian citizen Gennady Silonov to 7 years and 6 months in prison with probation for two years for espionage.
As stated by Riga City Court Judge Erlens Ernstsons, Adamsons collected and transferred undisclosed information to the Russian intelligence service through Silonov, and Silonov collected such information on behalf of the Russian intelligence service. The information concerned the work of Latvian government agencies, law enforcement agencies, state security agencies, and the army.
The court also found that Adamsons unlawfully requested and received compensation for travel expenses from the Sejm, and also illegally purchased and stored ammunition without the appropriate permission.
Adamsons denies passing information to Russian intelligence services, but admits that he knew Silonov. Silonov denies any involvement in Russian intelligence services. Adamsons’ lawyer Mikhail Chernousov said that the verdict will be appealed. According to him, the defendant’s guilt has not been proven, and the case is “completely fabricated.”
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
