The decision of the Tartu County Court, according to which Gruzdev was released ahead of schedule, came into force on January 12, notes err. ee.

The court found Gruzdev's release justified and appreciated the fact that a man was imprisoned for the first time in prison and was not previously punished in criminal procedure. Being in prison, he worked and successfully passed the social program.

According to the court, it is unlikely that Maxim Gruzdev will again engage in criminal activities with Russian officials.

In February 2016, Maxim Gruzdev was sentenced to four years in prison. The Tartu County Court found him guilty of crimes against the Estonian state.

According to the prosecution, Russian special services recruited smuggled cigarettes Gruzdev in the second half of 2013 in the Pskov region.

It is alleged that he provided the Russians with information about the activities of the Security Police (KaPo) officers and participated in the intelligence and operational operations of the Russian special services in Estonia.