Court lets Lehtme attend embezzlement trial remotely from Ukraine

Harju County Court has allowed Johanna-Maria Lehtme, the former head of the NGO Slava Ukraini who is accused of embezzlement, to attend her trial by video link from Ukraine, ERR reports.

The court granted the exception because Lehtme’s family circumstances make it difficult for her to attend hearings in Tallinn. Her lawyer, Dmitri Teplõhh, told the court that Lehtme has lived in Ukraine since 2023 and that all her significant personal, family and social ties are there.

Lehtme is raising two children, one of whom is of school age and the other under one year old. At a preliminary hearing in October last year, she was expecting her second child and took part by video link. Only her face was visible on the courtroom screen, and her location and pregnancy were not disclosed in the presence of journalists, although her lawyer informed the court.

Criminal cases are normally heard in the presence of the accused. However, a court may permit video participation if attending in person is difficult.

Teplõhh said Lehtme has no residence in Estonia and could not move to the country for the duration of the trial or travel regularly between Estonia and Ukraine. He said attending court in Tallinn would be difficult for her both financially and because of her childcare responsibilities.

The prosecution agreed with the request, and Judge Mõistlik also found that living in Ukraine and raising children made it harder for Lehtme to attend court in person.

The trial is due to begin on September 14. If problems arise with Lehtme’s participation, the court may revoke the exception.