32 illegal migrants detained in Tallinn in three days, arriving from Belarus via Latvia
Estonian police detained 32 people who illegally crossed the border in three days. They arrived from Belarus via Latvia and planned to go to Western Europe.
Over the past three days, police in Tallinn have detained 32 illegal migrants. The individuals were moving in different groups and were stopped in various locations across the capital – in Nõmme, at the port, and in the city center. One group was apprehended thanks to information provided by a resident.
None of the detainees had identification documents, but preliminary information suggests they are from various African countries. The migrants entered Estonia from Belarus via Latvia and, according to them, planned to continue to Western Europe through Finland.
Indrek Aru, head of the Border Guard Office of the Northern Prefecture of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, said the number of detentions is significantly higher than usual. The police's main task is to determine the migrants' background and intentions within the Schengen area to protect public order and security. Aru emphasized that illegal immigration from Belarus across the Latvian border is organized and used as a hybrid weapon.
He noted that increased control measures in Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have led to a rise in illegal immigration towards Estonia. The warm weather has also facilitated movement. Estonian police have changed their tactics both at international transport hubs and at the border.
In the first six months of this year, a total of 149 illegal migrants have been detained in Estonia. Meanwhile, Latvian State Border Guard reports that 8,624 people have been prevented from illegally crossing the Latvia-Belarus border this year.
