New Twist in Galojan Embezzlement Case
The court case against Anna-Maria Galojan, who stands accused of pilfering 60,000 euros from a prominent NGO and using it for personal shopping, took a new turn on March 8 when defense council's petition to have the judge thrown off the case was turned down.
Defense attorney Sven Sillar said that Judge Margot Mikler of the Harju County Court had violated Galojan's rights to a fair trial when she refused a defense request to call expert witnesses, among them President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
The 28-year-old Galojan allegedly spent money belonging to the European Movement Estonia on a number of shopping sprees from June to September of 2007, when she headed the non-profit organization. The purchases included clothing, jewelry, luxury accessories and footwear, as well as trips to beauty salons and travel, uudised.err.ee reported.
Sillar had waited until the last day permitted to submit his list of witnesses, which included Ilves since the latter had once served as the head of the EME.
Judge Mikler turned down the lawyer's request to invite the witnesses because it was filed after the end of the working day.
Sillar argued that the law only specified the day, not the time, the request can be filed, and that the judge's decision to deny the request meant that the outcome of the trial would be overturned in district court. The Harju County Court, however, refused to disqualify Mikler.
If found guilty, Galojan faces punishment by fine or imprisonment for up to five years.
Steve Roman
