Estonia’s Supreme Court has rejected a request from President Alar Karis to declare legislative amendments obliging religious associations to sever their ties with hostile foreign states unconstitutional, ERR reports. Karis had insisted that the amendments violated the Constitution, arguing that the law would place excessive restrictions on freedom of religion and association. However, the Supreme Court held that the amendments could be interpreted so as not to restrict religious freedom arbitrarily. Also, the court pointed to the constitutional importance of national security considerations.
The amendments to the church law will primarily apply to the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (EKÕK), which must now sever its ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, Interior Minister Igor Taro stated, ERR reported. Earlier, the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO) noted that EKÕK’s activities were still curated from Moscow, even though the church purported to be independent, ERR reported. Meanwhile, Ringo Ringvee, adviser on religious affairs at the Ministry of Interior, warned that Russia was likely to begin various information operations following the Supreme Court decision.