The Estonian Foreign Ministry summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy on August 13 to deliver a diplomatic note declaring the First Secretary of the Russian Embassy persona non grata.
In handing over the note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the representative of the Russian Embassy that Estonia does not intend to tolerate Russian activities directed against its constitutional order and internal stability and considers it necessary to express its views very clearly.
Estonia will also inform its partners and allies about the incident.
“The diplomat in question took a direct and active part in undermining the constitutional order and legal system of Estonia, as well as in the division of Estonian society, contributing to crimes against the state, including several crimes related to the violation of sanctions,” said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
According to the minister, one citizen of the Republic of Estonia has already been convicted of these crimes.
“The ongoing interference of the Russian Embassy in the internal affairs of the Republic of Estonia must stop, and by expelling the diplomat, we demonstrate that Estonia will not tolerate any actions on its territory directed and organized by a foreign state,” the minister stressed.
The department noted that Estonia’s actions are in line with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which provides that the receiving state may, at any time and without giving reasons, notify the sending state that the head of the mission or any member of its diplomatic staff is persona non grata.
At the end of May, Estonia expelled and handed over to the Ukrainian authorities a Ukrainian citizen who had maintained contacts with the Russian FSB.
In early June, Estonia revoked a residence permit and expelled a Russian citizen for national security reasons.
