Bailiffs call for action as threats and intimidation worsen

Threats against bailiffs in Estonia have become more frequent and serious, prompting the Chamber of Bailiffs and Bankruptcy Trustees to urge the state and police to act, ERR reports.

The chamber says bailiffs have faced damage to their property as well as insults, threats and humiliation. Its board member Arvi Pink said such behaviour had worsened in recent years. Estonia has 35 bailiffs, he noted, calling them part of the country’s rule of law.

Pink said police respond to physical violence but, in his view, are less likely to act on threats and intimidation. He cited a case in which a debtor sent a bailiff, a mother of two, an image of knives and brass knuckles with a message saying they would be used against her. When the case was reported, the response was that such conduct was part of the job and did not pose a real threat, Pink said.

Anders Allandi, head of the proceedings unit at the East-Harju police station, urged people to report threats. If there is an immediate danger, they should call a patrol. Written threats should be saved and sent to police, who will assess what action to take, he said. Police will open proceedings if the threat meets the criteria for a criminal offence.

Allandi said an objective assessment is important because bailiff work can be contentious, and debt collection may prompt emotional remarks that are not necessarily meant literally. The chamber also warned about so-called sovereigns, who regard the government and other institutions as a hostile elite and reject the need to obey laws, regulations or court decisions.

The chamber has asked the minister of justice and digital affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, to discuss ways to prevent or reduce dangerous situations. The meeting has not yet taken place, but Pakosta said in a written response that she was ready to discuss the matter.