Estonia deports Russian citizen over reported intelligence ties

Estonia’s Internal Security Service, known as KAPO, has deported Russian citizen Leonid Karabeshkin and imposed a ban on his entry into the Schengen area. Authorities said the action was taken because of his ties to Russian secret services, with police describing the deportation as a measure to prevent and counter activities threatening security in Estonia and Europe.

KAPO spokesperson Marta Tuul told Estonian public broadcaster ERR that Karabeshkin had connections both to Russian secret services and to people working in their interests. According to Tuul, he travelled regularly to Russia, where he met those contacts. She said many of the people concerned were subject to European Union and Ukrainian sanctions for hostile influence activities.

Tuul also identified connections between Karabeshkin and several influence networks. She named CIRP, RuBaltic and Regnum, saying his links extended to individuals associated with those organisations. Her account described contacts with both the networks and people connected to them, alongside the ties to Russian secret services cited by KAPO.

Police separately said Karabeshkin maintained contact with Sergei Rekeda and Sergei Rudnov. Rudnov is under sanctions imposed by Britain and Ukraine. Authorities also reported that Karabeshkin cooperated with CIRP, the Russian Centre for International and Regional Policy. Individuals associated with Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, took part in events organised by that centre.

Media reports identified Karabeshkin as having worked at Euroacademy, a private higher education institution in Estonia. His work there included teaching and research. The reports described his academic activities in the country from which the security service has now deported him.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna endorsed the expulsion, saying Estonia would not overlook threats to its own security or that of Europe. He argued that people connected to Russian intelligence services and hostile influence networks should not be able to exploit the country’s openness.

Tsahkna referred to both Karabeshkin’s removal from Estonia and the ban preventing him from entering the Schengen area. He described the measures as justified and said Estonia would not tolerate activities that undermined its security.

The deportation follows Estonia’s support in October for a separate proposal concerning Russian travellers. Estonia joined Finland in calling for the suspension of tourist visa issuance to Russian citizens throughout the European Union.