High official of Estonian Culture Ministry who was caught stealing resigns

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Photo: Peeter Langovits

Raul Oreskin, deputy secretary general for fine arts of the Estonian Ministry of Culture who was caught stealing in a Tartu department store on Monday, has submitted a letter of resignation which the culture minister has accepted.

Competition to find a new deputy secretary general is to be announced at the start of next year, spokespeople for the ministry said.

A security guard of the department store saw Oreskin stealing at 11:30 a.m. and stopped him. It appeared that the man had stolen some wine, ice cream and a sunscreen for the total worth of 50 euros.

Spokespeople for the South prefecture confirmed to BNS that a theft was discovered around Monday noon in the department store. "The person who was caught was sober, calm and regretted his actions. A misdemeanor procedure was opened and on Tuesday the police will question the security guard," spokespeople added.

«I am very sorry that I have let all of you down by carrying out an undignified deed. It was a stupid dare and I have, of course, no justification for it. I asked to be released from office, and I remove myself for some time from public and virtual life. I need some time to think,» Oreskin wrote on his Facebook page.

He apologizes to everybody who were offended by his actions. «I understand if you have no wish to communicate with me anymore. I just ask that you spare my family who had nothing to do with it,» he added.

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