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14-year sentence for treason
Pro-Russian Estonian politician Aivo Peterson was sentenced to 14 years in prison for treason on 11 December 2025. Peterson was found guilty of treasonous activities directed against the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Estonia.
He was also accused of attempting to gather together pro-Russian holders of firearms licences.
Peterson was found to have acted under Russian guidance to promote Russian influence and to undermine Estonia’s constitutional order. He has announced his intention to appeal the court’s decision. He has been in custody since March 2023.
What makes the case particularly striking is that in the 2024 European Parliament elections, Peterson campaigned from prison and still received the 11th highest number of votes nationwide in Estonia. In the eastern city of Narva, as many as 28 percent of voters supported him. His total vote count was 11,500.
Peterson has been one of the leading figures of the pro-Russian Koos party—the name means “together” in Estonian. Russia considers Peterson a political prisoner.
Kumu turns 20 at the start of the year
The Kumu Art Museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It opened its doors to the public on 18 February 2006 after nearly four years of construction, and more than ten years of anticipation.
The Kumu building was designed by architect Pekka Vapaavuori. Interior design was carried out by Pille Lausmäe-Lõoke, Ville Lausmäe, and Gullsten-Inkinen Interior Architects.
Over two decades, Kumu has established itself as the only museum in the world with such an extensive permanent exhibition focused on Estonian art. In addition to its permanent collections, the museum has hosted numerous high-quality international and domestic exhibitions every year.
During its anniversary year, Kumu will look both to the past and the future through a diverse programme of exhibitions and events. In total, 249 exhibitions have been shown at the museum over 19 years, attracting approximately 2.7 million visitors.
Power changes hands in Tallinn
In recent years, Tallinn was governed by a four-party coalition whose key objective was to keep the Centre Party—previously embroiled in scandals—out of power.
The result of the municipal elections in autumn 2025 was tight. The Centre Party received the most votes in Tallinn but did not secure an absolute majority on the city council. To take power, it needed a partner.
Immediately after the elections, it was widely expected that the same four parties would again form a coalition and keep the Centre Party in opposition, as had been the case for years.
However, this did not happen, as the Isamaa party broke ranks. Driven by a desire for power, the party, under the leadership of its chairman Urmas Reinsalu, decided to join forces with the Centre Party.
Neither party leader became mayor; instead, the position went to the relatively unknown Peeter Raudsepp. Social Democrat Jevgeni Ossinovski was forced to step aside.
During the election campaign, the conservative and patriotic Isamaa party had presented itself as the strongest alternative to the “Russian” Centre Party.
In Tallinn, Isamaa made a major choice that runs counter to its earlier policies and ideology. Many of the party’s voters have been dismayed by the decision.
It is possible that Isamaa will pay a heavy price for this unholy alliance in the next parliamentary elections.
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