Estonia's ISS: Those coming from Russia have influenced West to be friendly towards Russia

TALLINN – Martin Arpo, deputy director general of the Estonian Internal Security Service, said that the agency supports the suspension of labor and study mobility from Russia and Belarus, the daily Postimees writes.

Arpo said in a statement posted on the ISS website that the agency considers it important that the state and society do everything possible to support Ukraine now, showing solidarity in every area.

We also understand the good intentions of those who want to make Russia more democratic, leaving Estonia open to Russian students and labor, but we do not consider the possibility of changing the aggressor country this way to be sufficient," he said, adding that restricting entry from Russia and Belarus to Estonia is not a punitive but a preventive measure.

"Russia's current behavior shows that those who have moved to study and work in the West have influenced Western countries to be more (ignorantly) friendly towards Russia than Russia to be friendlier towards the West," he said.

From the point of view of internal security, the May 9 celebrations have been seen in public as a possible risk factor. The procession of the Immortal Regiment (Bessmertny Polk) has not yet been banned, but it may be if the basis for this arises.

This would presuppose a violation of section 62 of the Law Enforcement Act, that is the organization of a prohibited meeting, where either hatred is incited or activities directed against the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Estonia are cultivated.

Aivar Alavere, head of the joint headquarters of the Police and Border Guard Board, told Postimees that, from the point of view of May 9, the police will do their utmost to ensure public order and prevent threats. It is too early to talk about precise actions today, but the police will definitely be out with more manpower than before this year.