Estonia temporarily closes Luhamaa border point after Iranian citizens' repeated illegal crossing attempts
The Luhamaa border crossing point in Estonia was closed earlier than usual on Sunday after two Iranian citizens repeatedly tried to enter from Russia without valid travel documents. The point will remain closed until Russia resolves the situation on its side.
The Southern Prefecture of the Police and Border Guard Board reported that the Luhamaa border crossing point was closed earlier than usual on Sunday, September 6.
According to the prefecture, two Iranian citizens repeatedly attempted during the day to cross into Estonia from Russia through the Luhamaa point. However, they had no legal grounds to cross, since both had destroyed their travel documents immediately after arriving from Russian territory.
Border guards denied entry to the man and woman who tried to enter Estonia illegally and sent them back to Russian territory.
Russia allowed attempts to continue
Estonian border guards informed Russian authorities about the incident, but the Iranian citizens were allowed to continue their attempts to reach Estonia. As a result, authorities decided to temporarily close the Luhamaa crossing point.
The Southern Prefecture noted that the point will remain closed until the Russian Federation resolves the situation on its end.
Witnesses told ERR that on Sunday the Luhamaa point operated only until 17:00, instead of its usual closing time of 19:00.
