Herman Simm, arrested, tried and convicted of spying for Russia, was Estonia’s supreme guardian of military secrets, the conveyor of restricted information to and from NATO, in a position of authority to grant or deny security clearances, with access to the most sensitive personal information about individuals working in national security positions.
Ogonjok magazine, in a recent interview with Simm, handled the Simm affair from a Russian perspective, obviously in contrast to the Estonian viewpoint. (Ogonjok, founded in 1899, is one of the oldest illustrated Russian magazines, considered not to be an always-ready mouthpiece for the Kremlin. It is owned by the Kommersant group, oftentimes known for publishing material that is not Kremlin endorsed. However, Kommersant’s major shareholder is Alisher Usmanov, thought to have close ties with the Kremlin. It is up to the reader to assess the credibility of Ogonjok’s content.)
Ogonjok asked Simm whether he considered himself to be involved in reconnaissance or spying. Simm felt that for Estonia he was definitely a spy, a mark of shame for the country.
How were you recruited, by blackmail or money? Simm: “My conditions were straight forward. Russia can’t have used what I provided as aiding in military aggression against Estonia. There was no blackmail, but they knew everything about me and my family, and said what could happen under certain circumstances. I was promised a general’s title and position. The initial payments were small – 200-300 dollars per month, later 1000 euros.”
What did your work consist of? “Helping Russian preventative security efforts like fighting the narcotics trade, organized crime, NATO, terrorism. All that involved Russian security. This also was related to the national safety of Estonia.”
What are the real chances of Simm getting free on a spy swap between Russian and Estonia? “It happens quite often, but seldom under full public scrutiny. Resident (spy) for resident (spy) happens rarely. But sometimes a resident is exchanged for a favour. Or a resident is traded for information regarding a third party. Such are the rules of the game.”
Was he hoping for a swap? “Yes. Talks were even held on the possibility. Russia’s deputy foreign minister came to Estonia and met unofficially with our (Estonia’s) minister in a Tallinn restaurant. My fate was decided during dinner. Evidently they didn’t reach an agreement.”
Russian foreign intelligence officials did not try to contact him. Did you feel betrayed? “I felt that I had been abandoned. Until the ministers met, the Estonian prosecutor treated me respectfully. A few days later everything changed. I lost 20 kilos.”
According to Simm, his wife also was arrested and was held without charges being filed. Then she was freed. “Due to this experience she suffered a stroke. She was, in essence, dismissed from her employment. (Simm’s wife worked as a legal specialist in the police department.) How did Simm’s relatives react? “They were shocked. They knew nothing. Some don’t believe it even today. The relatives are still supportive. But friends have all denounced me.”
Do you fear assassination? “It has happened and can happen. I don’t dismiss it. Modern methods can make it easy. But after the publicity my scandal received my ‘natural’ death in a prison would seem implausible and someone would have to answer some embarrassing questions. The other prisoners have threatened me, not for being a former police chief, but for my cooperation with Russia.” (Simm previously graduated from the Soviet higher police academy.)
From the above one can pick and choose that which is believable.
The Herman Simm story, as told by Russian magazine Ogonjok
Arvamus
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