A Ukrainian citizen, Stanislav Matlak, has been stripped of his residence permit and deported from Estonia, after the Border Guard Department considered that he posed a threat to national security.
Announcing the decision, the agency said that the Ukrainian national maintained connections with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), Schengen.News reports.
Based on information from Estonian police, the Ukrainian citizen, Stanislav Matlak, held constant talks with FBS officers and continuously supported Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
At the proposal of the Estonian Security Police (KaPo), the Police and Border Guard Board annulled Matlak’s residence permit for national security reasons. He had been living in the country since 2019.
After his deportation from Estonia, Stanislav Matlak will be handed over to authorities in Ukraine, according to a report from UNN.
In addition, KaPo spokeswoman Marta Tuul told UNN that all internationals residing in Estonia, including Estonian citizens, are obliged to report contacts with international intelligence services to the Security Police.
Estonia is a democratic state that supports people. But it is extremely important that citizens themselves show initiative and willingness to get out of the traps they have fallen into due to the actions of hostile intelligence services.
Local media reports said that the Ukrainian citizen, Stanislav Matlak, had been living in Estonia since 2019, while his case brought significant public resonance.
Estonia No Longer Accepts Russian Non-Biometric International Passports
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, authorities in the EU countries, including Estonia, imposed harsh sanctions on Russia.
From April of this year, holders of non-biometric foreign passports from Russia are no longer recognised in Estonia. The new changes were confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.
Besides, authorities in Estonia also announced that Russians with non-biometric passports are not eligible to enter Estonia. However, the ministry said that there will be exemptions for those holding a residence permit.
Stricter Citizenship Rules for Those Involved in Irregular Affairs & Crime
In October last year, Isamaa, the Estonian opposition party, proposed to impose stricter rules for foreign nationals with criminal records interested in obtaining citizenship in Estonia.
In this regard, the chairman of the Isamaa faction, Helir-Valdor Seeder, unfolded plans to present a draft law that will prevent people who have been involved in irregular affairs and crime from obtaining citizenship in Estonia.