Isamaa lawyer says court ruling unlikely before elections

A court ruling in the criminal case involving the Isamaa party is unlikely before Estonia’s parliamentary elections, the party’s lawyer Jaanus Tehver said, ERR reports. Prosecutors have yet to file formal charges.

The investigation concerns alleged prohibited donations to Isamaa, mainly in the form of advertising services. Prosecutors have said the donations total about 330,000 euros, of which the party allegedly accepted 110,000 euros. Isamaa and all other suspects deny the allegations.

In July, the prosecution said it hoped to decide whether to file charges during the summer, to avoid bringing the decision too close to the start of the election cycle. No charges have been filed so far. The prosecution has given defence lawyers until Monday to review materials underlying the evidence and submit any further requests. It will then decide how to proceed.

Tehver said he had reviewed the prosecution’s materials and did not plan to submit further requests. He said that, at best, a preliminary hearing could take place before the elections. Voters might therefore know that charges had been filed against Isamaa, but would not have a court’s view of the case before going to the polls.

Isamaa leader Urmas Reinsalu said the party wanted the case clarified as soon as possible, but that it had not become an issue in recruiting potential candidates or preparing the campaign.