Hearing postponed again in Savisaar trial, defendant in hospital

Yet another court hearing had to be postponed on Tuesday because the former long-time chairman of the Center Party and mayor of Tallinn is too ill to stand trial. According to his lawyer, Edgar Savisaar is in hospital.
According to prosecutor Steven-Hristo Evestus, there is no point going ahead with the hearing so long as Savisaar isn't present. Following a question by the court, Evestus also said that at this point the prosecution wants to see Savisaar's doctor, Peep Põdder, appear before the court.
"To form a reasoned opinion whether or not there is a reason to separate Savisaar from the general case, the positions of the doctor have to be heard at a hearing and compared to previous expertise," Evestus said. "After that it's possible to decide whether or not to separate or continue in the present way," he added.
So far all the medical assessments concerning Savisaar's appearances in court have been carried out by Põdder, the Baltic News Service wrote on Tuesday.
Evestus also said that a video conference with a witness in Spain is planned for Feb. 6. "We need to form an opinion regarding Savisaar's medical state by that time," he added.
According to Savisaar's lawyer Oliver Nääs, Põdder would be willing to come to court to talk about Savisaar's health, even at a time when Savisaar is in hospital.
The court decided to hear Põdder on Jan. 30. Põdder is the director of the Jõgeva Hospital. According to him, Savisaar's medical condition is very bad, and participating in the hearings could have serious consequences for his health.
The trial of the case began on June 12 last year. Savisaar is facing charges for the embezzlement of public funds, corruption, having accepted illicit political donations, and for large-scale money laundering. He pleaded not guilty at the beginning of the trial.
Editor: Dario Cavegn
Source: BNS, ERR