The General Prosecutor dismissed two co-resident prosecutors

The Estonian Prosecutor General, Andres Parmas, dismissed two prosecutors, Aaro Seinmaa and Kaire Hanniinen, from the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday due to a loss of trust. The decision followed allegations that the prosecutors obstructed an investigation and interfered with a criminal proceeding. According to a statement released by Parmas, Seinmaa and Hanniinen’s actions included deleting emails relevant to a case and offering advice to a suspect, who was also a personal acquaintance, on how to build a defense.

Parmas stated that such behavior was incompatible with the role of a prosecutor and their continued employment was untenable. Seinmaa was previously detained on December 22nd, 2022, following accusations of providing false testimony in a case where he had been questioned as a witness. While initially detained, the case was subsequently closed by the supervisory department of the Prosecutor’s Office at the end of August, after investigators were unable to establish a definitive fact of false testimony.

It was previously reported in 2013 by Postimees that Seinmaa and Hanniinen were partners in life, and that Seinmaa was Hanniinen’s subordinate. While the relationship was deemed not to violate the law at the time, it raised ethical concerns. Both Seinmaa and Hanniinen have previously received awards for their work, with Seinmaa being named Prosecutor of the Year in 2005 and Hanniinen in 2008.

Their last day of employment with the prosecutor’s office was September 6th, 2022, and ongoing criminal cases will be handled by other prosecutors.

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