Migration pressure from Russia on the Finnish border has increased, and on November 16, 8 Somali citizens who do not have the right to enter wanted to enter Estonia from the Russian Federation, said Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets.
Eight Somali citizens who did not have an entry permit tried to enter Estonia from the territory of the Russian Federation. This was stated by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Estonia Lauri Läänemets. At the same time, the head of the border service, Veiko Kommusaar, said that the country, following Finland, could close four border crossings on the border with Russia at once.
Postimees reports this, also citing a statement by the Estonian Minister of Internal Affairs, writes ERR.
He stated that Somali citizens were trying to enter the country through Narva.
“Due to the lack of a Schengen visa or residence permit, they (Somali citizens – ed.) were given an entry ban at the border and were sent back to the Russian Federation,” he said.
According to the minister, they noticed “several more similar persons” at the border checkpoints on the Russian side.
“Perhaps something is happening there. At the moment, the situation has not developed further… Somali citizens are unlikely to have come up with all this themselves,” he added.
According to the minister, migration pressure on the Finnish border has increased, so Russia should not allow people into Europe without legal grounds, but it is doing so.
“We can already call this a hybrid attack. This is being done very deliberately, people come to us, start asking for asylum and international protection, and we must start accommodating and accepting them,” said Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets.
Meanwhile, Veiko Kommusaar spoke out about Finland's decision to close four checkpoints.
“This, of course, may mean that people who have been gathering at these borders until now will end up at Estonian border crossings,” said the head of the border service.
Possibility of closing border crossings on the Estonian-Russian border
As the head of the border service emphasized, entry into the EU through Estonia is possible only for those who have all the legal grounds for this.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and, if necessary, are ready to prevent any illegal migration. Depending on the situation at the border, this may mean partial or complete closure of checkpoints,” Kommusaar explained.
Let us remind you that Finland completely closes four checkpoints on the border with Russia in response to many illegal migrants. Currently, citizens of Iraq, Yemen and other countries are coming to Finland en masse through Russia. They are asking for asylum in Finland.
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