Feb 23 • 14:36 UTC 🇪🇪 Estonia Postimees

KAPO intervened: Estonia revoked e-residency from Russian mineral water businessman

Estonia's Ministry of the Interior announced that e-residency was revoked from businessman Sergei Uger due to security concerns.

In a recent parliamentary inquiry, Estonia's Minister of the Interior Igor Taro revealed that the country has revoked e-residency from Sergei Uger, a businessman holding dual Israeli-Russian citizenship. Uger was reportedly planning to establish a mineral water factory in Võrumaa, Estonia. The decision came as part of the security measures from the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO), highlighting the government's vigilance in monitoring foreign investments and potential security threats.

The actions by KAPO underscore the growing concerns in Estonia regarding the influence of Russian nationals and entities, particularly in sensitive sectors. Estonia has been proactive in safeguarding its digital infrastructure and ensuring that foreign business operations align with the country’s security interests. This case exemplifies the delicate balance that Estonia must maintain between attracting foreign investment and mitigating associated risks from prospective investors with ties to nations like Russia.

The revocation of Uger's e-residency illustrates the complexities of Estonia's e-residency program, which has been lauded for enabling global entrepreneurship. However, it also indicates that the government remains ready to take decisive action when national security is at stake. Such measures may shape international perceptions of Estonia as a business destination, potentially influencing future foreign business engagements in the region.

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