Migrant group in Tallinn's Nõmme district no surprise for police

Police in Estonia detained 15 people in the Nõmme district of Tallinn on Thursday, after receiving reports from neighbors about individuals whose appearance and behavior drew attention. Initially, 12 were taken into custody, while three others who had left the scene were located and detained a few hours later. The arrests took place in front of a guesthouse. The owner told ERR he was unaware the group had been staying there, though the building was later found in disarray; he said he had no security footage or other evidence confirming their presence.

Local residents said that after 11 p.m., plainclothes officers were seen near the building, while earlier in the evening dogs and drones were used in the search, including in a nearby forest. Indrek Aru, head of the border guard bureau at the Põhja Prefecture, confirmed on Friday that no further detentions were made late in the evening. He said police cannot be certain all 15 people detained on Thursday belonged to one group, and work to establish possible links is ongoing.

Aru stressed that accommodation providers are obliged to check documents to determine whether third-country nationals have a legal basis for staying in Estonia. He acknowledged this is harder to enforce for short-term rental apartments, and called on owners to inform police if a large number of people arrive who may lack legal grounds or appear exhausted and coming from difficult conditions.

Although the Nõmme case drew significant attention, Aru said it was not unusual. Police have found groups of foreigners with apparent legal issues in other accommodation sites and city districts; the Nõmme case was more visible because the response involved additional forces. At the same time, the police have received unjustified reports based on skin color. Interior Minister Igor Taro urged people to report suspicious activity but use common sense, noting that not everyone with a different skin color is a problem. Aru mentioned cases where vigilant residents approached people on the street suspecting illegal stay, only to find that the individuals were law-abiding, spoke Estonian, and had all documents in order.

Finland will send forces to assist Estonia, and Aru said police are carrying out extra measures not only in Tallinn and Harju County but elsewhere, with resources not exhausted. He reassured Estonian residents that calling 112 brings police quickly, as response times are good. He also said illegal migration is facilitated by Russian and Belarusian authorities; while people may be seeking a better life, the route and illegal entry into the visa area clearly point to a hybrid attack by Belarus.