DEVELOPING: Estonian Counterintelligence Officer Abducted to Russia at Gunpoint, Foreign Ministry Summons Russian Ambassador (4)
An official from the Internal Security Service (ISS), Estonia's national agency for counterintelligence and high-profile corruption investigations, was abducted at gunpoint at Luhamaa border checkpoint this morning where he was discharging service duties, and taken to Russia.
The incident occurred at about 9:00 on the Estonian side of the border and was preceded by jamming of communications and use of a smoke grenade, the agency said; the interference was said to originate from the Russia side.
The ISS said the official was in the process of interdiction of a cross-border crime.
The area is in Võru County, by Russian border post #121. The border is largely demarcated and lacks major fortifications; the area is thinly populated.
The whereabouts of the official are not known, Postimees daily's online site said.
There was no immediate explanation on the late disclosure of the incident - more than six hours after it occurred - which comes during a period of more tense relations with Russia.
Officials at Press Conference: Bilateral Border Guard Meeting Was Held Earlier in Day
Officials from the ISS (KaPo in Estonian) and the Office of the Prosecutor General held a press conference at 17:00.
Arnold Sinisalu, director general of the ISS, said that Estonian and Russian border guards met for a briefing at the Estonians' initiative at 13:00. At the meeting on the border, the Russian side said it had no reports of the incident. Both sides visited the scene and established that there were indeed signs of a violent struggle. Sinisalu added that there was no indication of a firefight.
Asked for other details, such as whether the official was alone, Sinisalu said they were not immediately available or could not be released yet. He did rule out terrorism.
He cautioned against speculation on the identity of the agent. He said he did not want to speculate on the motive and said there was no clear political reason.
A criminal case has been launched on counts of abduction and illegal border crossing.
Foreign Ministry Summons Russian Diplomat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent for Russia's ambassador to Estonia, Yuri Merzlyakov, to ask for an explanation. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said: "This is a very galling incident. We expect full assistance and cooperation from Russia in resolving the incident and bringing the Estonian citizen back to Estonia."
He said the Estonian Embassy in Moscow was in contact with the Russian Foreign Ministry as well.
Despite Timing and Charged Overtones, Interior Minister Says No National Security Threat
Interior Minister Hanno Pevkur told uudised.err.ee: "Estonia is secure and protected. This individual case has to be rapidly resolved like any other crime committed on Estonian territory. I am sure that the persons responsible for security in Estonia will resolve the situation quickly."
(This story is being updated.)
До колкото разбрах не е потвърдена.
An official from the Internal Security Service (ISS), Estonia's national agency for counterintelligence and high-profile corruption investigations, was abducted at gunpoint at Luhamaa border checkpoint this morning where he was discharging service duties, and taken to Russia.
The incident occurred at about 9:00 on the Estonian side of the border and was preceded by jamming of communications and use of a smoke grenade, the agency said; the interference was said to originate from the Russia side.
The ISS said the official was in the process of interdiction of a cross-border crime.
The area is in Võru County, by Russian border post #121. The border is largely demarcated and lacks major fortifications; the area is thinly populated.
The whereabouts of the official are not known, Postimees daily's online site said.
There was no immediate explanation on the late disclosure of the incident - more than six hours after it occurred - which comes during a period of more tense relations with Russia.
Officials at Press Conference: Bilateral Border Guard Meeting Was Held Earlier in Day
Officials from the ISS (KaPo in Estonian) and the Office of the Prosecutor General held a press conference at 17:00.
Arnold Sinisalu, director general of the ISS, said that Estonian and Russian border guards met for a briefing at the Estonians' initiative at 13:00. At the meeting on the border, the Russian side said it had no reports of the incident. Both sides visited the scene and established that there were indeed signs of a violent struggle. Sinisalu added that there was no indication of a firefight.
Asked for other details, such as whether the official was alone, Sinisalu said they were not immediately available or could not be released yet. He did rule out terrorism.
He cautioned against speculation on the identity of the agent. He said he did not want to speculate on the motive and said there was no clear political reason.
A criminal case has been launched on counts of abduction and illegal border crossing.
Foreign Ministry Summons Russian Diplomat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent for Russia's ambassador to Estonia, Yuri Merzlyakov, to ask for an explanation. Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said: "This is a very galling incident. We expect full assistance and cooperation from Russia in resolving the incident and bringing the Estonian citizen back to Estonia."
He said the Estonian Embassy in Moscow was in contact with the Russian Foreign Ministry as well.
Despite Timing and Charged Overtones, Interior Minister Says No National Security Threat
Interior Minister Hanno Pevkur told uudised.err.ee: "Estonia is secure and protected. This individual case has to be rapidly resolved like any other crime committed on Estonian territory. I am sure that the persons responsible for security in Estonia will resolve the situation quickly."
(This story is being updated.)
До колкото разбрах не е потвърдена.
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