In a message posted on social media site X on Thursday, the Internal Security Service (Kaitsepolitseiamet/KAPO) said it had suggested the PPA revoke Sergei Filatov's residence permit. It said Filatov is a Russian citizen.

"FSB had established contact with Filatov. To prevent and obstruct security threats, we gave him a helping hand to return to [his] homeland," the agency wrote. 

The message showed two photos of Filatov standing at a border point surrounded by three masked Estonian border guards. The FSB is Russia's principal security agency.

ISS spokesperson Marta Tuul said Filatov attracted attention due to repeated legal violations, he also took Russian citizenship in 2022.

"ISS intervened in Filatov's activities at a very early stage, before he had the chance to cause any harm. Therefore, we deemed a criminal investigation unnecessary and decided to revoke his residence permit, expel him from Estonia, and impose a Schengen entry ban," she told Postimees newspaper.

Tuul said the main reason for his expulsion was to prevent potential security threats and ensure he would not have the opportunity to act in the interest of the FSB in Estonia.

"We remind the public that the FSB systematically tries to recruit people who travel between Estonia and Russia," she said, adding the agency recommends people do not travel to Russia.

Estonia also expelled a Russian ethnic nationalist deemed to be a security threat in April.

At the suggestion of KAPO, Police and Boarder Guard Board revoked the residence permit of Russian citizen Sergei Filatov for security reasons. FSB had established contact with Filatov. To prevent and obstruct security threats, we gave him a helping hand to return to homeland. pic.twitter.com/In0Tva5vAy

— Kaitsepolitseiamet (@kaitsepolitsei) June 5, 2025

This article was updated to add comments from ISS' Marta Tuul.

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