"Estonia angry at Russia 'abduction' on border"
Estonia's foreign ministry has
summoned the Russian ambassador over what it calls the abduction of an Estonian
security official by "unidentified individuals from Russia" on the border. A ministry
statement said the incident had taken place inside Estonia on Friday, near
Luhamaa border checkpoint. The missing Estonian official works for the Estonian Internal Security
Service. Russia says it detained an Estonian security official on a "spying operation"
on Russian territory. The head of Estonia's security police said it was ruling out any "political
motive" for now. However, the foreign ministry in Tallinn called it "a very disturbing
incident". It comes amid heightened tension with Russia. "We expect to receive all manner of help and co-operation necessary from
Russia in solving this case and bringing the Estonian citizen back to Estonia,"
said the Baltic state's Foreign Minister, Urmas Paet. The incident came on the second day of a key Nato strategy summit in Wales.
Extra Nato military support for European countries bordering Russia was high on
the agenda. US President Barack Obama visited Estonia on Wednesday to discuss security
issues. According to Estonian security police (Kapo) chief Arnold Sinisalu, signs of
a struggle had been detected at the scene. "Tracks leading from Russia to
Estonia are evident," he said. "[They show] a scuffle occurred, then they lead
back." "We have no indications that a shooting occurred," he added. "There is no
blood at the scene." The FSB in Moscow told Russian news agencies that a Kapo official named Eston
Kohver had been detained on Russian territory and was now being
investigated. He was, the FSB said, carrying a pistol, 5,000 euros (£3,980; $6,539) in
cash, an eavesdropping device and "other materials related to
intelligence-gathering". The Estonian daily Postimees said the missing Kapo official had been involved
in tackling cross-border crime. The kidnappers jammed Estonian radio communications and used a smoke grenade
during the incident, reports say. Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves tweeted
"let's not jump to conclusions, folks. Estonia extremely good at stopping
organised crime & smuggling. Among best controlled borders in EU".
^ It does seem like something modern-day Russia is capable and willing to do and then deny any involvement until the whole world knows the truth. They have been doing that in the Ukraine for months. If Russia doesn't free the kidnapped Estonian then I think this conflict will widen beyond the Ukraine considering that Estonia is apart of NATO and the EU. ^
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29078400
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