Solidarity from Tallinn, Estonia

 

 

On December 16, a brief solidarity demonstration to Danish climate activists was held in front of the Danish embassy in Tallinn.

Since the weather was quite cold, only six people attended. After standing for a while, they folded up their banner
and walked away.

Only at this moment (when the demonstration was over and nothing untoward had occurred) did the crew of a police car which had stood nearby spring into life. The police approached leaving activists, and announced through a loudspeaker that everyone must stop and present documents.

One activist had reached further away and didn't understand what they said, continuing to walk away. Seeing that, a police officer took it upon himself to run after the activist and demand that he come back to show ID. The police issued him a warning, reminding that orders from the police should be complied with.

The activist commented that orders from the police should arrive in sensible times and places, lest they be considered nonsense.

Another activist refused to immediately disclose their name, later producing their ID card. The police responded by charging the activist with misdemeanour and presenting false ID, carrying a maximum penalty of about 4 times the average monthly salary. The charge has been contested and is pending resolution.

In addition, police officers demanded to see the banner and wanted to get everyone's phone numbers (some of which were provided), refusing to give any comment about the consitutional right to hold assemblies without prior permit. In local police practise, registration of demonstrations is required, in apparent contravention of this constitutional guarantee.

To see this upon the disassembly of a completely peaceful and 100% unobtrusive demonstration, was frankly a record in absurdity, and left suspicions that the police had been instructed to collect identifying information by any means necessary.

Kontakt-email / Contact email: punamust@punamust.org