Estonian authorities consider confiscating cars with Russian license plates in the country

The Estonian authorities are considering starting to confiscate cars with Russian license plates in the country, Interior Minister Lauri Laenemets said. According to him, the government has not yet made a final decision, but he himself supports the introduction of such a measure.

Source. This was reported by The Bell with reference to the Estonian edition of ERR.

"The question now is what will happen to those cars with Russian license plates that are already here, because, according to the European Commission's recommendation to enforce sanctions, these vehicles should be confiscated. They are not allowed to leave Europe, otherwise it means moving sanctioned goods," Mr. Laenemets said at a government press conference.

Currently, the government is waiting for the position of the Tax and Customs Department, after which it will discuss the issue.

"My personal opinion is that the sanctions should be enforced and these cars should be confiscated. We have to come to this conclusion. I am interested in the question of why cars with Russian licenses are driving in Estonia at all, why someone living in Estonia has them. Maybe for purely practical reasons, but in general, such cars should not be in the country like this," the minister added.

Background. The day before, Estonia banned cars with Russian license plates from entering the country. Lithuania and Latvia have taken similar measures.

As reported, Lithuania warned of confiscation of Russians' own cars upon entry.