Chancellor of Justice says military broke law in Legio screening

Estonia’s Defence Forces and Defence Resources Agency broke the law when they barred a reservist from joining the Legio training mission because of archived criminal records, the Chancellor of Justice said, according to ERR.

Olari Koppel, director of the Chancellor of Justice’s Office, said the military’s aim of selecting reservists and volunteers with clean records was commendable, but background checks must have a proper legal basis, even in the current security situation.

The authorities also gave the applicant unclear and inaccurate information about the selection process and background check, Koppel said. The candidate was not adequately told the legal basis for the check, and the initial refusal was not sufficiently explained. The Defence Forces’ request for the applicant’s archived criminal records was also not lawful, he said.

The Chancellor of Justice said the Defence Forces may choose whom to include in the voluntary mission, but refusals must be based on specific circumstances and clear legal reasoning, rather than general references to the military’s values.

The Chancellor of Justice has asked the defence minister to report within a month on steps to ensure future background checks of reservists comply with the law. The office also proposed clarifying the Defence Forces Organisation Act to establish a clear legal basis for screening applicants to international training missions.

The Defence Resources Agency has opened applications for the Norway-led Legio training initiative in Poland, which aims to support Ukrainian soldiers’ military training and strengthen their combat capability. Estonian serving and reserve personnel, as well as members of the Estonian Defence League, are being sought to serve as instructors.

The instructors work with representatives of other countries to train Ukrainian soldiers in basic military skills, and to develop their individual and combat skills. Their main task is to train Ukrainian soldiers, squad and platoon leaders, and instructors.

Estonia joined the initiative in 2025 and will continue contributing in 2027 through training planning and instructors. Applications for the first rotation are open until November 27.