Estonia proposes to recognize Moscow Patriarchate as terrorist organization

Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets proposes to recognize the Moscow Patriarchate as a terrorist organization and ban its activities in the country

This is reported by Postimees.

It is noted that a representative of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate stated that they are not directly subordinate to the Moscow Patriarch and cannot be responsible for the statements made in Moscow. Thus, the local church essentially rejected Läänemets' demand to withdraw from the subordination of Russian Patriarch Kirill.

"Given the current context, I, as the Minister of the Interior, have no choice but to propose to the Riigikogu to declare the Moscow Patriarchate a terrorist organization and a terrorist supporting organization. The Minister of the Interior will be able to apply to the court and propose to terminate the activities of the church organization operating here. This will not affect the parishioners, it does not mean that the churches will be closed, but it does mean that ties with Moscow will be severed," Lauri Läänemets said.

At the same time, he emphasized that it should be understood that today the Moscow Patriarchate is subordinate to Vladimir Putin, who "leads terrorist activities in the world."