The Supreme Court acquitted Martin Repinski

The Supreme Court upheld Martin Repinski’s acquittal on two charges and confirmed that a conviction in a criminal case must be based on directly and properly assessed evidence. NAMM attorney-at-law Kristjan Tuul defended Martin Repinski in criminal case no. 1-23-7274/138.

The dispute concerned, among other things, the use of a member of the Riigikogu’s housing allowance and fuel card. In the charge concerning the housing allowance, the circuit court had changed its assessment of testimony without rehearing the accused or the witnesses. The Supreme Court considered this a significant error and upheld the county court’s acquittal in that part.

The earlier acquittals also remained in force in relation to the allegation concerning the use of the fuel card. According to the Supreme Court, the evidence did not establish a criminally punishable act to the required extent.

The judgment is important because it emphasises the significance of the right of defence and the direct assessment of evidence. A conviction cannot be based on assumptions or on changing the assessment of evidence in a way that deprives the defence of the opportunity to respond directly. Read more in ERR.