The court hearing where the alleged spy, Norwegian Frode Berg, will have a verdict starting on Tuesday at 08.30 Norwegian time said the press service at the Moscow District Court on Thursday. The case starts at 09.30 local time in Moscow.
The verdict and the sentencing are to be announced simultaneously.
‘’This is in the same document. The last part of this document will be announced during the hearing, which is, in normal circumstances, open to the public’’ said Berg’s Russian defence lawyer, Ilja Novikov, to Norwegian media about a week ago.
“But you will not know anything about the content of the case, only the accused’s name and the court’s decision” he added.
This week, the prosecution claimed 14 years in prison for Berg, and the defenders expressed no hopes of acquittal.
Berg was arrested in Moscow on December 5, 2017 and has been imprisoned since then. The Russian security service, FSB, believes he was on a spy mission when he was arrested. Berg has not pled guilty to the espionage charge, but he has acknowledged contact with Norwegian intelligence services prior to the journey.
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not exclude a pardon for Berg when he was asked questions by the Norwegian media during a meeting with Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Høyre (H) last Tuesday.
‘’The case is still in court, and the court must decide the question of guilt. One can only pardon a person who is sentenced’’ Putin said.
If Tuesday’s judgment is not appealed, it will be enforceable.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
