Savisaar case includes four episodes of accepting bribery
State's Prosecutor General Lavly Perling disclosed that Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar is suspect in episodes of corruption: unjustified extension of a lease contract for which he obtained benefits; allowing the construction of a house that lacked a building permit to continue in return for assets; exchange of land plots and promised compensation; and an episode connected to a tender, for which property or assets was obtained.
According to Eesti Päevaleht, the financially most capacious episode is connected to Hillar Teder. It is believed that Teder promised to give a 200,000-euro loan to the Center Party in return for exchange of property.
Aivar Tuulberg is said to have paid a 50,000-euro bribe to win the tender to the reconstruction of Kultuurikatel, a creative hub in a former power plant near Linnahall.
Villu Reiljan is being suspected of brokering a bribe from Vello Kunman, one of Estonia's most successful businessmen, whose house scandal was recently reported by ETV's investigative program "Pealtnägija". Kunman was building a large house for her daughter in Nõmme district without a valid building permit. A 20,000-euro bribe allegedly allowed him to finish the construction.
In addition, Alexander Kofkin is being accused of offering unlawful benefits in exchange of having his lease contracts extended.
The properties and work places of Savisaar and the six co-accused were searched yesterday. Savisaar was interrogated at his home in Hundisilma. Internal Security Service officers left the building close to midnight.
Edgar Savisaar at his Hundisilma home, following interrogation (Photo: Martin Dremljuga/ERR).
Editor: M. Oll