Estonia expels Russian diplomat - Here's why
Photo: Estonia has taken a decisive step against Russia (Getty Images)
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared Dmitry Prilepin, First Secretary of the Russian Embassy, persona non grata due to active interference in the country's internal affairs and undermining the constitutional order, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ERR report.
Today, August 13, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Russian Embassy and handed him a diplomatic note stating that the First Secretary of the Russian Embassy has been declared persona non grata and must leave Estonia.
The Ministry explained to the Russian representative that Estonia has no intention of tolerating Russia's actions against its constitutional order and internal stability.
Estonia will also inform partners and allies about the incident.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna commented on the expulsion of the Russian official.
"The diplomat in question has been directly and actively involved in undermining the constitutional order and legal system of Estonia, as well as in dividing Estonian society, contributing to the crimes against the state, including several offences related to sanctions violations," Tsahkna said.
At the same time, the Foreign Minister noted that, so far, one Estonian citizen has even been convicted for committing these crimes.
"The Russian embassy's ongoing interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Estonia must end, and by expelling the diplomat, we are demonstrating that Estonia will not allow any actions orchestrated and organized by a foreign state on its territory," Tsahkna emphasized.
The actions of the Estonian government comply with Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, according to which the host state may at any time, without explaining its decision, notify the sending state that a member of the diplomatic staff of the mission is persona non grata.
Expulsion of Russian diplomats for violations
This is far from the first case. Last year, several countries expelled Russian diplomats for similar violations.
For example, in March, Estonia decided to declare a Russian Embassy official persona non grata, again due to Russia's interference in the country's internal affairs.
A few days later, the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a similar statement, announcing plans to expel a Russian diplomat from the country.
A week later, Latvia expelled a Russian diplomat due to provocations by the embassy.
