Taking into account the circumstance that the Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) on Dec. 15 arrested Fedorenko as a suspect of accepting a bribe and a criminal investigation has since been launched against him, the company's supervisory board has decided to terminate his employment contract upon settlement, EVR said.

Fedorenko's powers as a member of the company's management board will be terminated upon his removal by the company's supervisory board and once the relevant entries have been made in the Commercial Register.

"This is an extremely condemnable incident for us," EVR supervisory board chairman Priit Rohumaa said. "The continuation of a board member suspected of a crime in Estonian Railways is definitely not acceptable, and this is why the supervisory board has decided to remove Sergei Fedorenko from his position."

Along with the termination of the contract, Fedorenko gave up any existing or potentil claims or benefits connected to the company.

Criminal investigation launched

The Estonian Internal Security Service (ISS) in mid-December accused railway company E.R.S. CEO Sergei Balõbin of bribing Estonian Railways (EVR) board member Sergei Fedorenko.

The ISS first arrested Fedorenko, Balõbin and another two persons suspected of aiding in giving a bribe on Friday, Dec. 16. State Prosecutor Laura Feldmanis subsequently sought permission from Harju County Court to take Fedorenko and Balõbin into custody. With the court's permission, the two men were taken into custody on Dec. 17 for an initial period of up to two months.

ISS officers also conducted searches of the offices of transit terminal operator Vopak E.O.S. and its subsidiary E.R.S. Company executives have stated that they are cooperating with the authorities.

A criminal investigation was launched on the basis of the articles of the Penal Code addressing giving and accepting bribes. The investigation is being carried out by ISS under the direction of the Office of the Prosecutor General.