Kaitseliit (Defence League) (Estonia)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
214
|
| Country: |
Estonia |
| Date formed: |
Aug. 20, 1991 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
day
|
| Details of Formation: |
Originally formed in 1981, this group became a PGM when Estonia gained its independence. In 1992 it was formally integrated into the defence forces. |
| Date dissolved: |
April 1, 1992 |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
month
|
| Details of Termination: |
There is some evidence that the group still exists in 2002. In 1992 it became part of the state’s defence forces. |
| Termination Type(s): |
integrated into regular forces
|
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): |
none
|
| Successor group(s): |
none
|
| Private Military Company? |
no |
| Former Group? |
yes |
| Former Armed Group? |
yes |
| Former Rebel Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? |
no |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: |
semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: |
no information |
Main Creating Government Institution: |
none
|
| Government Link(s): |
state (institution)
|
| If link to party, name of party: |
None |
| Training and Equipment: |
yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: |
yes |
| Shared Personnel: |
yes |
| Type(s) of Material Support: |
domestic government
|
| State Sponsor(s): |
none
|
| Other Connection(s): |
|
Group Characteristics
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Membership: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Purpose: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: |
not applicable
|
Other Information
| Other Information: |
This group has a website http://www.kaitseliit.ee/en/edl
Affiliate groups include "Women's home defence" "Young Eagles" and "Home daughters". |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The Group was meant to help with law enforcement by assisting police officers and maintaining public order (e.g by patrolling, putting out wildfires, ensuring public safety), as well as to augment Estonia’s defence capacities. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
faster mobilization
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
There were two reported instances of the group injuring civilians, one in which a member accidentally shot a mortar bomb into a house, and another in which two members shot at a car, injuring three people. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
unknown
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
no |
| PGM Members Paid? |
no information |
| Reasons for Membership: |
|
| PGM Members Killed? |
no information |
PGM Size
| Size: |
The group included 6000 members in 1992 and was projected to increase to 40,000. |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: |
The group was armed with mortars, guns, semi-automatic rifles, Kalashnikovs and grenade launchers. Members also received training as assistant police officers. |
Organisation
| Organisation: |
Kaitseliit is controlled by the Defence Ministry and funded by the Estonian government. It is commanded by Brigadier general Meelis Kiili and divided into 15 regional units. |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.
Wikipedia. Estonian Defence League. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Estonian_Defence_League&oldid=748784687
Evidence
