Former minister pleads not guilty to bribery

Sep 05, 2008
In cooperation with BNS

TALLINN - A former Estonian environment minister has pled not guilty to charges that e demanded a large bribe while in office.

Villu Reiljan, 54, a parliamentarian with the People’s Unionand a former environment minister, stood trial alongside Tarmo Sild, 32, and businessman Aivo Parn, 40. The two other defendants are accused of mediating a bribe and promising to pay a bribe.

“I have not asked for a bribe either directly or via someone, neither for myself nor for People's Union. I have not made any favorable decision with regard to Parn's companies,” Reiljan told the court.

According to the indictment, while he held the Cabinet position Reiljan demanded a bribe of 1.5 million kroons (95,850 euros) from Parn, an executive with AS Wipestrex Grupp, through the mediation of Tarmo Sild.

Parn and Sild have also pled not guilty to the charges.

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