"I can't discuss a patient's condition in more detail, but I can say that it is a serious illness which requires longer treatment," Peep Põdder, director of Jõgeva Hospital, told daily Postimees on Wednesday.

He explained that Savisaar had been in Tartu on Tuesday for some testing, and thereafter asked to be taken to Jõgeva Hospital. "I would have wanted for him to stay in Tartu right no, but he insisted on being taken to Jõgeva Hospital," Põdder added.

According to Põdder, Savisaar needs long-term treatment and rehabiliation.

After an almost two-month break, Harju County Court was due on Tuesday to examine the prosecution's final pieces of evidence in Savisaar's ongoing trial, but the hearing was posponed after Savisaar fell ill and was taken to the hospital.

The court announced on Tuesday that the trial would resume on Jan. 23.

Health concerns cause repeated delays

The condition of Savisaar's health has worsened on several occasions during the course of the trial; on two occasions over the summer, in June and again in August, hearings were cut short when Savisaar was taken to the hospital.

After the second such instance, Põdder had told BNS that Savisaar's general health condition concerned him significantly as a doctor. "This will not end well," he commented.

The fact that Savisaar must stand trial was established at the beginning of June, when a four-member expert committee at the Estonian Forensic Science Institute determined that the suspended mayor is able to attend the hearings of the graft case and bear liability in spite of his medical condition.

Charges

The Office of the Prosecutor General has brought charges against Savisaar for accepting bribes, money laundering, embezzlement, and accepting prohibited donations for the Center Party. The same charges have been lodged against Alexander Kofkin, Vello Kunman, Villu Reiljan, Hillar Teder, Kalev Kallo, Aivar Tuulberg, Priit Kutser as well as the Center Party itself.