Internal security
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing.
Date: 2025-06-11 15:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 17
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 17/17 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda addressed the planned transfer of Swedish prisoners to Estonian territory within the context of Estonian internal security. The discussion focused primarily on what the security and economic impact of such an agreement would be, and what risks and costs might be involved. The government plans to sign the agreement on June 18th – according to the assessment of the Minister of Justice – but ultimately the parliaments will decide, and the exact form and implementation of the decision are currently uncertain and require further analysis and risk assessment. Similar international practices (Netherlands, Norway, Belgium) and networks were also highlighted to understand why prison places are rented abroad and what the impact is on jobs and internal security in Estonia.
Decisions Made 1
No final decisions were made. The government intends to sign the agreement on June 18th, according to the Ministry of Justice’s assessment, but the parliaments must ultimately make the decision, and parliamentary decisions are expected in the spring of 2026. A more detailed, consistent analysis and internal security profiles require further review and risk assessment in cooperation with the Police and Border Guard Board and the Defence Intelligence Centre.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa), who posed or continued several questions and raised important issues regarding risks, analyses, and financial impact; Reinsalu is a member of a right-wing (law-right) party, a member of the Riigikogu, and his participation in these discussions reflects strong critical viewpoints on internal security matters.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
In the Riigikogu's first question, Urmas Reinsalu asks Prime Minister Kristen Michal about the topic of internal security.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticized the government's rushed plan to relocate up to 600 criminals currently serving sentences in Sweden to Estonia. He highlighted security concerns, uncertainties regarding the cost, and the lack of a proper review from the Ministry of Justice, questioning why the agreement was being hurried through without an analysis of internal security risks.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained that the government will make a decision on June 18, and there will be no final answer before the parliament makes its decision in the spring of 2026. However, he cited examples of leasing prisons to foreign countries—such as the Tilburg prison in the Netherlands and the Norgerhaven prison leased to Norway—which, according to him, would increase internal security capabilities and create jobs. He also confirmed that this is not unusual and that previous experiences do not show a significant impact on crime.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Urmas Reinsalu to ask a clarifying question.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the government lacks a socio-economic analysis and classified risk recommendations, and that the decision regarding the reception of immigrants is planned to be adopted quickly. He pointed to the experiences of Sweden and warned that he would file a motion of no confidence against the Minister of Justice if the circumstances do not change.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The message says: your time has come.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu poses the question as an example of what would happen if one criminal from this group commits a crime while incarcerated in Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman gives the floor to Urmas Reinsalu.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
This section discusses in which country the sentence—imprisonment—is served if its execution falls into the post-contractual period.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks everyone and stresses that only two minutes are allocated for asking questions. A 30-second overrun puts other colleagues at a disadvantage and is simply not proper procedure.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal explained that Estonia is considering and discussing renting prison spaces via foreign countries (such as the Netherlands) because the existing shortage of detention facilities must be covered and penal policy is changing. She stressed that the agreements were not made in secret and have been public since 2023. The placement of detainees will take place in Tallinn and Viru Prison, with decisions being made by the prison service in cooperation with the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) and the Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that now is your time.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Police and Border Guard Board and the Internal Security Service have prepared an expert assessment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked [the previous speaker] and invited Mart Maastik.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik asks how responsibility and costs are divided when a serious criminal residing in an Estonian prison (including rapists and murderers) commits murder in prison. Does Sweden take the case upon itself and cover the costs, or do those costs and the resulting punishment fall to Estonia? And what does it mean if the crime is committed in Estonia?
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the cooperation between Estonian and Swedish criminal law may involve the transfer of an individual to Sweden and the imposition of a consolidated sentence. Sweden will cover the costs incurred during the proceedings, which strengthens internal security and allows for the utilization of prisons located in Sweden. However, neither special treatment nor the provision of a mosque or a special menu in the prison is being planned; the entire process is transparent, and the details will be thoroughly discussed.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and concludes the consideration of today's first item.