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Estonian consul sought to obtain classified data about Russia’s plans in Arctic — FSB

The security service specified that it will publish the video in light of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s decision to expel the employee of the Estonian Embassy in Russia

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has published the video showing the detention of Estonian consul Mart Latte who was declared a persona non grata after attempting to receive classified information from a Russian citizen.

"It was found that the Estonian diplomat had several meetings with the Russian national. He was showing interest during the meetings in obtaining information about Russia’s plans in the Arctic through him. At the same time, Latte was fully aware that the specified documents are classified," the FSB told TASS on Tuesday.

The security service specified that it will publish the video in light of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s decision to expel the employee of the Estonian Embassy in Russia. Latte, consul of the Estonian Consulate General in St. Petersburg, was detained on July 6. He was declarated persona non grata and left Russia for engaging in activities incompatible with the diplomatic status.

In response, Tallinn expelled a diplomat working in the Russian Embassy in Estonia without any explanations. The Russian Foreign Ministry retaliated to these hostile actions and declared an Estonian Embassy staffer persona non grata on August 3.