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The Harju county court on Thursday decided that the exclusion from office of Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar who is under criminal investigation has to continue.
Savisaar not granted permission to return to office
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Savisaar's lawyer Oliver Naas found at Tuesday's hearing that the mayor could be allowed to resume his duties, but state prosecutor Steven-Hristo Evestus did not agree.
Among other things, Evestus pointed out that the long-time leader of the Center Party on July 6 published on the web page of the party's propaganda weekly Kesknadal the statements of witnesses who have been questioned in the course of the alleged graft case against him. In the prosecutor's opinion, this alone can be considered an attempt to influence witnesses.
Evestus took the position that Savisaar should not be allowed to return to office till the conclusion of the case.
Savisaar is suspected of accepting bribes and forbidden donations to his party and of money-laundering. Other suspects in the case include chairman of the Tallinn City Council Kalev Kallo, prominent businessmen Hillar Teder, Vello Kunman, Aivar Tuulberg, Alexander Kofkin and Paavo Pettai, and former top politician Villu Reiljan.