Russia issues arrest warrant against Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas

first Amendment: 02/13/2024 – 17:39

2 minutes

This Tuesday, February 13, Russia’s dispute with the Baltic countries escalated after police launched a search and arrest warrant against Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. The circular was identified from the website of the Russian Interior Ministry.

Nations in the region such as Estonia and Lithuania became the focus of the Kremlin’s attention as they positioned themselves in favor of Ukraine, the West, and against Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.

These states’ hatred of the Soviet Union and its legacy also responds to the fact that they believe they were part of the Red Bloc as a result of the invasion and occupation.

According to information revealed this Tuesday, Kallas is being tried in a “criminal case” in Moscow, but without specifying exactly what the Tallinn leader is accused of. Along with the prime minister, Estonian State Secretary Tamer Peterkopf and Lithuania’s Culture Minister Simonas Karys are also being searched.

Russian state news agency TASS cited unnamed security sources who said the three were Baltic officers. He has been prosecuted for “destroying and damaging monuments to Soviet soldiers” during World War II.

“Hostile actions against historical memory”

For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also noted animosity against Callas and the other two officials. He said, “These people are responsible for decisions that are really an insult to history, these are people who carry out hostile actions against historical memory, against our country.”

In response, Callas did not hold back and warned that she would not allow herself to be silenced. Through a statement, he strengthened his position in favor of Kiev, European defense and against Russian propaganda.

“Russia may believe that by issuing a fake arrest warrant it will silence Estonia. “I refuse to be silenced.”

Tensions against former Soviet countries have been rising since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine. For example, these regions, many of which belong to the EU and NATO, have severed their ties with Russia.

In mid-January, Latvia and Estonia stopped their military assistance to the Kremlin under the justification of the war in Ukraine. Moreover, even last month, Tallinn did not want to extend the residence permit of the head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, considering it a risk to national security.

The Kremlin also accused Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius of carrying out sabotage against the presidential elections after refusing to guarantee security at polling stations at Russian embassies in their territories, where a minority percentage of the population is called to vote. .

with EFE and AFP