Prosecutor's Office Opens Criminal Inquiry Into Defence Ministry Administrative Area
Estonian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the Ministry of Defence's administrative domain after audits by the National Audit Office raised concerns. The Security Police is conducting the probe.
The Prosecutor General's Office has initiated criminal proceedings to examine activities in the Ministry of Defence's administrative area. The case concerns circumstances identified in both this year's and last year's state audits.
Last year's published audit dealt with the state's 2024 annual financial report and the legality of transactions. The criminal proceedings aim to verify the accuracy of the inventory balance shown in the ministry's statement as of 31 December 2024.
According to State Prosecutor General Astrid Asi, after the audit released in 2025, authorities analysed both the information it contained and a crime report that had been submitted. On 13 October, an investigation was opened under part 1 of section 381¹ of the Penal Code, which criminalises breach of accounting duties where the violation significantly hinders obtaining an overview of an entity's financial and asset position.
As for the audit published on 28 August this year, concerning the 2025 report, no separate criminal proceedings have been launched. The findings are being analysed as part of the proceedings started last year.
No one has been named a suspect so far. The investigation is being conducted by the Security Police.
During the audit of the state's consolidated annual report, the National Audit Office found several serious problems in institutions under the Ministry of Defence. In its assessment, these issues increase the risk of misuse of public money and property.
