The Riigikogu banned using of symbols supporting acts of aggression by foreign states

At today’s plenary sitting, the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) passed the Act under which it is a crime to join the aggression committed by a foreign state. The Act also bans exhibition of symbols that are connected with an act of aggression.

The Act will introduce amendments to the Penal Code that have been prompted by Russia’s attack against Ukraine and will ensure an appropriate punishment if a person takes part in aggression. Pursuant to the Act, joining the armed forces of a foreign state committing an act of aggression or any other armed unit participating in an act of aggression committed by a foreign state, participation in the commission of or preparing an act of aggression by a foreign state as well as knowingly and directly, including financially supporting an act of aggression by a foreign state is punishable as a criminal offence. Under the Act, such an activity is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years. If such an act is committed by a legal person, it is punishable by a pecuniary punishment.

The Act also provides that it is not allowed to publicly exhibit symbols connected with the commission of an act of aggression, genocide, a crime against humanity or a war crime in a way that expresses support to or justifies such activities. Pursuant to the Act, this is punishable by a fine of up to three hundred fine units or 1200 euro, or detention. If such an act is committed by a legal person, it is punishable by a fine of up to 32,000 euro. It is planned that the section relating to the exhibition of symbols will enter into force on the day following the day of publication in the Riigi Teataja.

The draft of the Act was created by combining the Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure (support of aggression, and the associated hostile activities) (576 SE), initiated by the Government, and the Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code (556 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa.

69 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour and three against of passing the Act on Amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure (supporting of aggression) (585 SE), initiated by Faction Isamaa and the Government.

Source: Parliament of Estonia