Protest in Tartu Against Swedish Prisoners in Estonian Jail
Around 50 people gathered in Tartu on Sunday to protest an agreement allowing Sweden to rent prison space at Tartu Prison for up to 600 inmates.
A protest against the multi-million euro prison rental agreement between Estonia and Sweden took place in Tartu at noon on Sunday. Around 50 demonstrators assembled on the banks of the Emajõgi River in the city center.
Speakers included opposition politicians addressing the crowd from a boat on the river: Center Party Secretary General Anneli Ott, Social Democrat Heljo Pikhof, and Isamaa's Tartu City Council member Sandra Laur. All three parties are in opposition in the parliament.
"The Swedes gave us meatballs and Pippi [Longstocking], but they should keep their own trash to themselves," Laur told the protestors.
Earlier this month, the Riigikogu approved legal amendments allowing the transfer of foreign prisoners to Estonian prisons and ratified the prison agreement with Sweden.
Under the deal, Sweden will pay Estonia €30.6 million per year for up to 300 prisoners, plus €8,500 per month for each additional inmate. Inmates will be housed at Tartu Prison from the second half of 2026. The agreement covers up to 400 cells, accommodating up to 600 Swedish prisoners. It is valid for five years with an option to extend by three years.
Transferred prisoners will be men serving sentences, generally for violent or drug-related offenses. They will be allowed to leave prison grounds only in exceptional circumstances. Deputy Secretary General for the Prison Department at the Ministry of Justice, Rait Kuuse, said prisoners are expected to receive visitors only rarely.
