Estonia bars Latvian politician over security concerns

Estonia has imposed a short-term entry ban on Latvian politician Aleksejs Roslikovs, a former MP and current member of the Riga City Council who leads the “Stability!” party.

According to ERR, Roslikovs was scheduled to speak at an event in Tallinn on Monday evening, October 13, organised by former Estonian MP Olga Ivanova.

Roslikovs shared on social media that he had initially crossed the border in the afternoon but was later stopped by police. It was then that Estonian authorities informed him he was barred from entering the country.

“The only thing I can say is that I wish him a quick trip home,” Estonia’s Interior Minister Igor Taro told reporters.

The Interior Ministry confirmed that a short-term entry ban has been imposed on Roslikovs, set to expire on October 20. The minister explained that the decision was based on an assessment of risks related to the politician’s activities.

Taro elaborated: “If people have bad intentions about what they are trying to do in Estonia, especially in connection with their support for Russian aggression and the Russian agenda, then they don't belong here. Especially in an election week, especially at such a sensitive time. I think this will be a concrete example to everyone.”

Reacting to the ban, Olga Ivanova said, “I believe that this is unacceptable. When the authorities are afraid of free speech and open conversation, it shows weakness, not strength.”

By Tamilla Hasanova