Over the past three days, police in Tallinn have detained 32 foreigners. These individuals may be linked to migration pressure from Belarus at the Latvian border.
The foreigners were moving in groups. Police detained them in Nõmme accommodations, the harbor, and the city center. All detained individuals lacked identity documents. They come from various African countries.
According to preliminary data, these individuals entered Estonia from Belarus via Latvia. They planned to move further into Western Europe via Finland.
The police need to clarify their backgrounds and intentions. This is necessary to ensure the security of Estonia and the Schengen area.
Many people who have entered Estonia illegally seek international protection. The police must determine their citizenship and origin. They also need to check whether these individuals require international protection.
The police are also trying to find people who organize illegal migration. The illegal migration starting from Belarus at the Latvian border is deliberately organized.
The police are closely monitoring the situation in neighboring countries. They are ready to act quickly if necessary. Illegal migration has increased due to stricter controls in Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Warm summer weather makes movement easier.
If anyone sees suspicious groups of foreigners in Southern Estonia, they should report it to the police. These individuals do not behave like regular tourists.
The police have adjusted their work near international transport hubs and the border. They are also assisting Latvian police, which is facing significant migration pressure.
Most individuals who entered Estonia illegally have undergone initial procedures. Many of them are seeking international protection from Estonia. They have been placed in detention centers. Asylum applications are usually processed within four months. In some cases, it may take up to six months. If the application is rejected, the individuals are deported from Estonia.
In the first six months of this year, police have detained 149 people involved in illegal migration.