Latest news with #HarjuCountyCourt
Euronews
4 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Russia instructed arson attack on Ukrainian restaurant, Estonia says
Arson attacks on a restaurant and supermarket in Estonia last year were ordered by Russian intelligence, an Estonian court said on Wednesday. The attack was one in a series across Europe, tracked and linked to Russia by Western officials. The goal, they asserted, is to sow division in Western societies and undermine support for Ukraine as it continues to fend off Russia's more than three-year-long all-out war against its neighbour. The Harju County Court in Estonia stated that the perpetrators were two related Moldovan men, both named Ivan Chihaial. One was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for the arson attack on the restaurant and supermarket, which the court said was carried out on behalf of Russia's security services. The other Ivan Chihaial was an accomplice and sentenced to two and a half years. In a statement, the court said the first Chihaial was tasked with the operation by Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU. The court says he carried out a trial operation on behalf of the GRU in January 2024, setting fire to a co-op supermarket in the village of Osula in southeastern Estonia. The next day an individual acting on behalf of the GRU tasked him with setting fire to the Slava Ukraini restaurant in the capital Tallinn. Chihaial drove with his cousin to the restaurant on the night of 31 January, 2024, where they then proceeded to set fire to the establishment before departing Estonia. The court said Chihaial's cousin was unaware he was working for the Kremlin. Authorities in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland worked to detain the two men who were apprehended in Italy before being sent back to Estonia to face trial, said State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas. The arson is the latest in a string of Russian attacks on Estonia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In prior cases, Estonia suffered cyberattacks and vandalism to the windows of cars belonging to vocal anti-Kremlin politicians and journalists. Previous attackers have been recruited inside Russia, which shares a border with Estonia. The Estonian Internal Security Service said the fact that the GRU used Moldovans who were sent to the country showed they are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit. Russia has been accused of a widespread sabotage campaign by Western officials since its invasion of Ukraine. The attacks across Europe range from stuffing car tailpipes with expanding foam in Germany to a plot to plant explosives on cargo planes, to hackings that targeted politicians and critical infrastructure and spying by a ring convicted in the UK. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has denied such allegations, adding that the Kremlin has yet to be presented 'any proof' supporting accusations of a broader sabotage campaign.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Estonia says arson attack on Ukrainian restaurant was order by Russia
An arson attack on a restaurant and supermarket in Estonia last year were ordered by Russian intelligence, an Estonian court said on Wednesday. The attack was one in a series across Europe tracked linked to Russia by Western officials. The goal, they asserted, is to sow division in Western societies and undermine support for Ukraine as it continues to fend off Russia's more than three-year long full-scale invasion. The Harju County Court in Estonia said the perpetrators were two Moldovan men who are cousins, both named Ivan Chihaial. One was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison for the arson attack on the restaurant and supermarket, which the court said was carried out on behalf of Russia's security services. The other Ivan Chihaial was an accomplice and sentenced to two-and-a-half years. In a statement, the court said the first Chihaial was tasked with the operation by Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU. The court says he carried out a trial operation on behalf of the GRU in January 2024, setting fire to a Co-op supermarket in the village of Osula in southeastern Estonia. The next day someone acting on behalf of the GRU tasked him with setting fire to the Slava Ukraina restaurant in the capital, Tallinn. Chihaial drove with his cousin to the restaurant on the night of 31 January, 2024, where they then proceeded to set fire to the establishment before departing Estonia. The court said Chihaial's cousin was unaware he was working for the Kremlin. Authorities in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland worked to detain the two men who were apprehended in Italy before being sent back to Estonia to face trial, said State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas. The arson is the latest in a string of Russian attacks on Estonia since it launched its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022. In prior cases, Estonia suffered cyberattacks and vandalism to the windows of cars belonging to vocal anti-Kremlin politicians and journalists. Previous attackers have been recruited inside Russia, which shares a border with Estonia. The Estonian Internal Security Service said the fact that the GRU used Moldovans who were sent to the country showed they are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit. Russia has been accused of a widespread sabotage campaign by Western officials since its invasion of Ukraine. The attacks across Europe range from stuffing car tailpipes with expanding foam in Germany to a plot to plant explosives on cargo planes, to hackings that targeted politicians and critical infrastructure and spying by a ring convicted in the UK. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has denied such allegations, adding that the Kremlin has yet to be presented 'any proofs' supporting accusations of a broader sabotage campaign.
5 days ago
- Politics
Arson attack on a Ukrainian restaurant in Estonia was ordered by Russian intelligence, a court says
An arson attack on a restaurant and supermarket in Estonia last year were ordered by Russian intelligence, an Estonian court said Wednesday. The attack was one in a series across Europe tracked by The Associated Press and linked to Russia by Western officials. The goal, they asserted, is to sow division in Western societies and undermine support for Ukraine. The Harju County Court in Estonia said the perpetrators were two Moldovan men who are cousins, both named Ivan Chihaial. One was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for the arson attack on the restaurant and supermarket, which the court said was carried out on behalf of Russia's security services. The other Ivan Chihaial was an accomplice and sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. In a statement, the court said the first Chihaial was tasked with the operation by Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU. It said he carried out a trial operation on behalf of the GRU in January 2024, setting fire to a Co-op supermarket in the village of Osula in southeastern Estonia. The next day someone acting on behalf of the GRU tasked him with setting fire to the Slava Ukraina restaurant in the capital, Tallinn. Chihaial drove with his cousin to the restaurant on the night of Jan. 31, 2024, then they set fire to it and left Estonia. The court said Chihaial's cousin was unaware he was working for the GRU. The court said the defendants set fire to the supermarket and the restaurant by breaking a window, pouring in gasoline, placing a bag with a gasoline can inside and igniting it. Authorities in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland worked to detain the men who were apprehended in Italy before being sent to Estonia to face trial, said State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas. The arson is the latest attack on Estonia since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In prior cases, Estonia suffered cyberattacks and the windows of cars belonging to a politician and journalist were smashed. Previous attackers have been recruited inside Russia, which shares a border with Estonia. The Estonian Internal Security Service said the fact that Russia's intelligence agencies used Moldovans who were sent to the country showed they are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit, including among dual citizens. Russia has been accused of a widespread sabotage campaign by Western officials since its invasion of Ukraine. As well as cases of arson, the attacks across Europe range from stuffing car tailpipes with expanding foam in Germany to a plot to plant explosives on cargo planes, hacking that targeted politicians and critical infrastructure and spying by a ring convicted in the U.K. President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has told the AP that the Kremlin has never been shown 'any proofs' supporting accusations of a broader sabotage campaign and said 'certainly we definitely reject any allegations.'
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Arson attack on a Ukrainian restaurant in Estonia was ordered by Russian intelligence, a court says
An arson attack on a restaurant and supermarket in Estonia last year were ordered by Russian intelligence, an Estonian court said Wednesday. The attack was one in a series across Europe tracked by The Associated Press and linked to Russia by Western officials. The goal, they asserted, is to sow division in Western societies and undermine support for Ukraine. The Harju County Court in Estonia said the perpetrators were two Moldovan men who are cousins, both named Ivan Chihaial. One was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for the arson attack on the restaurant and supermarket, which the court said was carried out on behalf of Russia's security services. The other Ivan Chihaial was an accomplice and sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. In a statement, the court said the first Chihaial was tasked with the operation by Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU. It said he carried out a trial operation on behalf of the GRU in January 2024, setting fire to a Co-op supermarket in the village of Osula in southeastern Estonia. The next day someone acting on behalf of the GRU tasked him with setting fire to the Slava Ukraina restaurant in the capital, Tallinn. Chihaial drove with his cousin to the restaurant on the night of Jan. 31, 2024, then they set fire to it and left Estonia. The court said Chihaial's cousin was unaware he was working for the GRU. The court said the defendants set fire to the supermarket and the restaurant by breaking a window, pouring in gasoline, placing a bag with a gasoline can inside and igniting it. Authorities in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland worked to detain the men who were apprehended in Italy before being sent to Estonia to face trial, said State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas. The arson is the latest attack on Estonia since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In prior cases, Estonia suffered cyberattacks and the windows of cars belonging to a politician and journalist were smashed. Previous attackers have been recruited inside Russia, which shares a border with Estonia. The Estonian Internal Security Service said the fact that Russia's intelligence agencies used Moldovans who were sent to the country showed they are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit, including among dual citizens. Russia has been accused of a widespread sabotage campaign by Western officials since its invasion of Ukraine. As well as cases of arson, the attacks across Europe range from stuffing car tailpipes with expanding foam in Germany to a plot to plant explosives on cargo planes, hacking that targeted politicians and critical infrastructure and spying by a ring convicted in the U.K. President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has told the AP that the Kremlin has never been shown 'any proofs' supporting accusations of a broader sabotage campaign and said 'certainly we definitely reject any allegations.'
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tallinn District Court decision in the criminal case related to the former board members of Tallinna Sadam
In June 2024 Harju County Court terminated the criminal proceedings towards former member of the management board of AS Tallinna Sadam (hereinafter: 'Tallinna Sadam') Ain Kaljurand, Allan Kiil and other defendants due to expiration of the limitation period for the criminal case, released the properties from seizure and partially ordered procedure expenses. The county court agreed that the defendants had participated in corrupt agreements but considered them to be cases of private sector corruption, in which the statute of limitations for the offenses is shorter compared to the situation of taking a bribe by an official person. The termination of the criminal proceedings resulted in the non-examination of the civil claim of the victims, Tallinna Sadam and TS Laevad OÜ. Tallinna Sadam and OÜ TS Laevad, as parties to the legal proceedings, filed an appeal with the Tallinn Circuit Court and asked the court to annul certain points of the resolution of the Harju County Court's decision of 27 June 2024. The victims found that the former members of the board of Tallinna Sadam should be treated as official persons and therefore the civil claim should be resolved on its merits. On 4 June 2025, the Tallinn Circuit Court decided to partially annul the decision of the Harju County Court of 27 June 2024, and made a new decision, being in consent with the prosecutor's office and the victims that the acts alleged against Martin Paide and Toivo Promm must be reclassified compared to what was stated in the county court's decision. However, the district court agreed with the county court that Ain Kaljurand and Allan Kiil were not public officials, and the decision of the Harju County Court was left unchanged in this regard. The district court therefore dismissed the appeal of the victims, Tallinna Sadam and TS Laevad OÜ, who requested to annul the county court's decision not to process the civil claim. The Court judgement has not entered into force as a party in the proceedings may appeal against the judgement of the Tallinn District Court within 30 days from the time of publication of the court judgement. Tallinna Sadam shall analyse the decision and consider whether and to what extent to appeal the judgement of the district court. The management board believes that based on known information, the above events will not have a material adverse impact on the Group's financial performance or financial position. Additional information about this case can be found in the stock exchange announcements of 27 June 2024, 31 July 2024 and 15 October 2024. Tallinna Sadam is one of the largest cargo- and passenger port complexes in the Baltic Sea region. In addition to passenger and freight services, Tallinna Sadam group also operates in shipping business via its subsidiaries – OÜ TS Laevad provides ferry services between the Estonian mainland and the largest islands, and OÜ TS Shipping charters its multifunctional vessel Botnica for icebreaking and offshore services in Estonia and projects abroad. Tallinna Sadam group is also a shareholder of an associate AS Green Marine, which provides waste management services. Additional information: Angelika AnnusHead of Investor RelationsTel. +372 5649 6230E-mail: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
