Karina Turcan sentenced to 15 years in prison for espionage

In addition, the funds seized from her during the searches in the amount of 656 million rubles will be turned into state revenue. The investigation considered that this money was obtained in the course of her criminal activities. Tsurkan herself does not admit her guilt. The defense side does not agree with the verdict, calling it inappropriate, and the evidence - fabricated. The defense believes that the case against her was "ordered out of revenge" by the former president of the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic Yevgeny Shevchuk. “We do not agree with the guilty verdict, we intend to appeal it, if necessary, in the cassation instance,” said lawyer Ivan Pavlov. His words are quoted by “Interfax”.

Recall that Turcan was arrested in June 2018. During the investigation, it turned out that back in 2004, she was recruited by the Moldovan special service, worked under the pseudonym "Karla", leaked information about the supply of Russian electricity to Ukraine abroad. It is noted that until 2016 she was a citizen of Moldova. The prosecutor requested 18 years in prison for her. Earlier, Memorial recognized her as a political prisoner.