The Estonian Minister of Justice submits his resignation after a corruption scandal

Estonian Justice Minister Kalle Laanet has tendered his resignation amid a corruption scandal involving his renting an apartment from his stepson, the Estonian state broadcaster reported on Saturday.

“In order to ensure legal clarity and peace of work in the government, I decided today that I will no longer remain Minister of Justice,” Lanet told the state broadcaster. “The other reason for my resignation is that my loved ones were subjected to an attack by the public that they did not deserve.”

Lanet will continue to perform his duties until the President appoints a new Minister of Justice based on the Prime Minister’s proposal.

Prime Minister Kaya Kallas said, "The decision taken today by Calle Lanet to step down from the position of Minister of Justice is the right step in the current situation. For the sake of government work and Calle's own interests, it is necessary for Calle to take a step back at this time. I thank Calle for his work as Minister." "In fairness, I will now begin searching for a new candidate for this position."

The Eesti Ekspress newspaper reported that Kalle Lanet, in his capacity as Minister of Justice, and before that as Minister of Defense, rented an apartment in Tallinn from his stepson using public money.

During his two ministerial terms, the state paid his rent bills, which amounted to more than 12 thousand euros. Police believe Lanett violated anti-corruption laws.

According to the head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Central Criminal Police, Ivar Sepp, the Anti-Corruption Law stipulates that an official is prohibited from making a decision or disposing of the property of a person connected to him, and in this case the minister is an official and the minister’s step son is restricted by the Anti-Corruption Law.

Last week, Lanit's dispute with Estonian Prosecutor General Andris Parmas also became public, as he accused the minister of interfering in the work of the Prosecutor General's Office and of pressuring the Prosecutor General in an attempt to force him to leave his post, the Estonian State Broadcasting Corporation reported.