Parents offer to pay for damage at Kihelkonna cemetery

The parents of two boys who damaged more than 100 gravestones at Kihelkonna cemetery are willing to compensate for the losses, ERR reported. Prosecutors have ended the criminal proceedings because the boys, aged 7 and 10, are below Estonia’s age of criminal responsibility.

District prosecutor Rainer Amur said investigators established that the boys had overturned more than 100 gravestones, some of which were damaged. The criminal proceedings were formally closed on Monday.

Amur said one boy’s parent contacted police, while the other boy called the emergency number 112 himself. Both boys admitted what they had done, but could not explain why they went to the cemetery.

Kuressaare police station area group leader Minna Raun said the families had shown willingness to cooperate and the parents were interested in paying for the damage. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, compensation can be sought through a civil court.