Russian ambassador summoned to the Foreign Ministry

Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Russian Ambassador in connection with the abduction of the Security Police officer.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Urmas Paet, the Estonian Embassy in Moscow is in contact with the Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation. “This incident is very disturbing. We expect Russian help and cooperation in solving this case, and in returning the Estonian citizen to Estonia,” said the minister.

According to Paet the Russian envoy had promised his help to shed light on the circumstances of the event as well as solving it.

The State Prosecutor’s Office announced that around 9 AM this morning unidentified persons coming from Russia took the freedom of an Estonian Security Police officer on the territory of Estonia, near Luhamaa border crossing station. The officer was taken to Russia using physical force and at gunpoint.

According to the statement of the Estonian authorities the officer was fulfilling his duties in connection to preventing a cross-border crime in taking place. Use of smoke grenades and intense interference with operative radio connections preceded the incident.