The Estonian Interior Ministry wants to make the distribution of terrorist propaganda punishable by law, and this would include obtaining any material that is considered propaganda, if it is not related to educational purposes, writes ERR News.
It is proposed that the regular use of propaganda sources will also be considered a violation. The Interior Ministry has defined terrorist propaganda as any propaganda that is created outside Estonia and is not distributed by sovereign states. Although the current level of the terrorist threat in Estonia is low, the ministry and the Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) in their latest annual report say that this must be seen in the context of Estonia’s small size. Jüri Vlassov, an advisor to the Interior Ministry, told ERR News that in a small society, even a single terrorist attack can have devastating consequences.
The ministry considers Islamic extremism to be the biggest threat, but admits that radical right-wing groups could also pose problems. Currently, the Criminal Code provides for punishment for terrorist crimes, their preparation and financing, and for inciting to commit terrorist acts. Vlassov pointed out that this is not enough, and the current legislation does not offer enough tools to stop radicalization and prevent terrorist attacks before they reach victims.
In the draft law, which is planned to change the Criminal Code, the Interior Ministry has noted that it is currently necessary to wait until the crime has already been committed, while at the same time organizing terrorist acts has become easier. The Ministry has suggested that
the deliberate and repeated consumption, acquisition and dissemination of terrorist propaganda should also be made punishable,
unless it is done for scientific, educational or artistic purposes.
Vlasov pointed out that although radical right-wing groups are also a concern, the possibility of becoming a victim of Islamist propaganda is still greater. He recalled the case of Estonian-born Abdulrahman Sazanakov, who went to fight in Syria, and is believed to have died there.
The far-right group “Feuerkrieg Division,” which was tried in Estonia and used propaganda to recruit members, was also highlighted.
The Interior Ministry has indicated that minors and young people are the groups most susceptible to terrorist propaganda, citing France as an example, where 70% of terrorist acts are committed by persons under the age of 21.
If the Estonian parliament supports the amendments, they could come into force in the second half of 2026.
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