Estonian MP Kalle Grünthal appears in court over alleged embezzlement of nearly 3,000 euros

Estonian Riigikogu member Kalle Grünthal appeared in court on Monday, facing state prosecution charges of embezzling more than 3,000 euros' worth of property.

According to prosecutors, evidence gathered during the pre-trial investigation shows that the MP abused taxpayer-funded property entrusted to him by handing over fuel cards for use by members of his family. The charge states that Grünthal thereby committed embezzlement of property.

Cards meant strictly for work purposes

Prosecutors explained that Riigikogu members are permitted to use fuel cards issued by the Riigikogu Chancellery solely to purchase fuel needed for carrying out their work duties. However, according to the charges, in 2023 Grünthal repeatedly used the two fuel cards issued to him for personal purposes, passing them to family members.

The indictment states that fuel for personal use was purchased at least 46 times, for a total of just over 3,000 euros.

Case became public in 2023

In mid-October 2023, the newspaper Äripäev reported that Grünthal had fueled his car with both petrol and diesel within a five-minute gap. The paper Eesti Ekspress added that Grünthal's fuel card was used while the politician himself was working in the Riigikogu chamber.

After the incident became public knowledge, the EKRE party expelled Grünthal from both the party and its parliamentary faction. Grünthal has continued serving in parliament as a non-affiliated member.