• EN - English
  • IT - italiano
Parliamentary question - P-010842/2014Parliamentary question
P-010842/2014

Clarifications regarding the arrest of Giulietto Chiesa in Estonia

Question for written answer P-010842-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Matteo Salvini (NI)

On 15 December 2014 the journalist and former Member of the European Parliament Giulietto Chiesa, who was in Tallinn for a conference, following which he was to travel on to Moscow, was arrested at his hotel by the Estonian police.

Although he was not formally charged by the local authorities, press reports suggest that the arrest was the first stage in proceedings for his expulsion within 48 hours.

Given that he was not charged with any offence, it could well be that he was arrested because his views — which are generally pro-Russian — are at odds with the stance adopted by the current Estonian Government, whose relations with Russia are somewhat strained.

If this proves to have been the case, Mr Chiesa's arrest and detention will have to be seen as a serious breach of the fundamental freedoms enjoyed by all EU citizens, in particular freedom of thought, expression and movement.

Is the Commission aware of the above events? Will it be taking steps to ascertain whether the Estonian authorities have acted in breach of the above rights?