The parliament of Estonia adopted on Thursday, April 21, amendments to the Penal Code of the Baltic country to ban the public display of symbols of military aggression, ERR reports. Latvia did this in March.
Not all Estonian legislators supported the amendments to the Estonian Criminal Code with two former ministers voting against or abstaining. The amendments were adopted with 69 votes for and three against. The latter came from Conservative People’s Party (EKRE) MPs, including former Finance Minister Martin Helme, but Centre Party MP Mailis Reps, who was the Minister of Eduaction and Research also decided not to vote, while the remaining centrists supported the bill.
In the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, the amendments set forth to ban to publicly exhibit symbols connected with committing of an act of aggression, genocide, a crimes against humanity or a war crime in a way that expresses support to or justifies such activities. This is punishable by a fine of up to 300 fine units or EUR 1200, or detention. If such an act is committed by a legal entity, it is punishable by a fine of up to EUR 32,000, ERR reports.
Estonia joins Baltic neighbours in outlawing symbols of military aggression
