Police not opening corruption investigation at Estonian National Opera

The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has announced that it will not open a corruption investigation into the Estonian National Opera's cast planner, Helen Lepalaan, because no criminal offence was identified in her conduct.

In late June, the newspaper Eesti Ekspress reported that Lepalaan gives paid singing lessons to the opera's soloists while also deciding who is assigned which role. As a result, many internationally recognized opera singers have not performed at the theatre.

In response to the allegations, Estonia's director Ott Maaten stated that the theatre would file a report with the police to investigate the claims. “These are indeed very serious allegations, and we have taken them very seriously. We are addressing the media's corruption allegations. As of today, we have filed a report with the police and launched an internal review. The police investigation will also begin immediately, and we want to reach a very, very clear conclusion,” he said at the time.

According to a police spokesperson, no criminal proceedings were initiated against Lepalaan because no criminal offence was identified. “The Central Criminal Police's Anti-Corruption Crimes Bureau clarified the circumstances and concluded that no crime had been committed,” the spokesperson said.