FBI recognizes Estonian agencies for outstanding law enforcement cooperation

TALLINN – Representatives of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Monday presented awards to members of the Estonian Office of the Prosecutor General, Tax and Customs Board, and Internal Security Service (ISS) for their work and assistance in three separate cases involving individuals alleged to have violated Russia-related sanctions.

In separate ceremonies at the offices of the Office of the Prosecutor General, Tax and Customs Board, and ISS, US representatives expressed their gratitude for the extensive roles the Estonian agencies played in helping bring the alleged sanctions violators to justice, the US embassy said in a press release. 

"Estonia is a crucial partner for the United States as we work together to bring Russian sanctions violators to justice. We are proud to recognize members of ISS, the Office of the Prosecutor General, and the Tax and Customs Board for their assistance and coordination in these cases. They are clear examples of how our law enforcement cooperation enhances our collective security," said US Ambassador to Estonia George P. Kent.

"The awards presented for these cases represent the FBI's recognition of the strong partnership and excellent cooperation between our services in combating the persistent threat posed by the government of Russia. Through this coordinated effort, our services disrupted Russian proliferation networks to make Estonia an unfavorable environment for illicit procurement and transshipment of goods supporting Russia's military," said a spokesperson from the FBI. 

These investigations were coordinated with the Justice Department's Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia's unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.

The US Department of Commerce and US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) also supported the investigations.