We successfully represented the Estonian State, acting through the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO), in a complex civil dispute connected to a significant criminal proceeding.
Assets seized as part of criminal proceedings in question
The dispute arose when a third party (legal successor of a company registered in Hong Kong) claimed recovery of nearly EUR 880 000 of assets, currently seized as a part of the criminal proceedings as the criminal income (bribe) that the management board members of Port of Tallinn allegedly received from the Turkish and Polish contractors.
Unprecedented legal issues
This is the first time a third party demanded on such legal grounds from the state authorities to recover assets in the civil proceedings while the same assets have already been seized in the criminal proceedings. The outcome of this case might affect whether the seized criminal income related to one of the biggest bribery scandals over the past years will remain frozen until the end of the criminal court proceedings.
Our services and client team
We advised the client on all questions related to the matter and represented the client in the Harju County Court, the Tallinn Circuit Court and in the Supreme Court of Estonia. The court ruled in our client’s favour in all instances.
Our client team was led by partner Allar Jõks and supported by senior associate Albert Linntam.
