Today the Government approved a draft legislation with which the punishments for several offences against the Republic of Estonia will be made more severe.
“The purpose for making the punishments more severe is to coordinate the punishments prescribed for criminal offences against the state with punishments imposed for similar offences in other countries,” explained Tuuli Ploom, Adviser of the Penal Law and Procedure Department of the Ministry of Justice.
According to her, a thorough analysis showed that Estonian Penal Code needs some adjustment regarding the sections dealing with criminal offences against the state. “For example, in the majority of observed countries, including Germany, England, Finland and Sweden, up to life imprisonment may be passed for treason.”
According to the draft legislation the maximum punishment for treason and for violent acts directed against the Republic of Estonia is life imprisonment.
Ploom explained that the draft legislation will also organize and harmonise the definitions contained in the provisions dealing with criminal offences against the state so that the legal clarity, the systematicity of definitions and the structure of provisions would be better guaranteed.
Ploom added that the provisions dealing with organising mass disorder are also made more effective, as this also constitutes a dangerous criminal offence against the state. “We do not have to look far back in the history to see the weaknesses of present Penal Code in this matter and we definitely cannot allow ourselves such shortcomings,” stressed Ploom.
The scope of application of the provision will be expanded with regard to organising mass disorder. “Although organising mass disorder is criminalized also now, the amendment will add the preparation of disorder and agitation to disorder with a purpose to cause desecration, destruction or other such acts to the punishable acts,” explained Ploom. “Pursuant to the draft legislation disregard of lawful order during mass disorder is also an offence.”
Diana Kõmmus
Ministry of Justice Public Relations Division Phone 620 8118 Mobile phone 533 15431
