Estonian parliament committee to examine defence sector funding risks

Estonia’s parliamentary anti-corruption committee will hold an extraordinary public session on Thursday to examine problems with the use of funds and corruption risks in the defence sector, ERR reports.

The session, which starts at 10 a.m., will be streamed live on the ERR portal.

The committee has invited Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence Kaimo Kuusk, Deputy Secretary General for Defence Capability Kadri Peeters, Prosecutor General Astrid Asi, Auditor General Janar Holm, National Audit Office Chief Auditor Ines Metsalu-Nurminen and Audit Manager Gerli Eisberg.

Also invited are Elmar Vaher, director general of the State Defence Investment Centre, Lieutenant General Andrus Merilo, commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, his adviser Martin Hurt, and Captain Martin Hiir, an information officer in the strategic communications department.

Committee Chair Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart called the session last Friday after a published National Audit Office audit identified several problems in the Ministry of Defence’s area of government that increase the risk of the misuse of state funds and property.