TALLINN — The Viru Prosecutor’s office and Eastern Prefecture reported on June 4 that they have initiated investigation into possible bribery violations made in the by Narva municipal government.

Authorities suspect money may have been exchanged with city council members for a favorable outcome in the auctioning of municipal property in 2001.

The buyer of a property was the Estonian textile company Fervesta Grupp, and the purchasing contract gave the buyer an obligation to invest in the property’s reconstruction, renovation and maintenance at an overall cost of 12 million krooni, to be completed in three years. However, the buyer did not make such investments and the Narva municipal government was in charge of the checkup.

Viru Prosecutor’s Office reported that the investigation is indicating that the Mayor of Narva Tarmo Tammiste have not fulfill his responsibility to check the sale contract’s implementation.

Mari Luuk, press spokeswoman of Viru Prosecutor’s Office told the press that investigation results show that it can be claimed that the mayor received financial benefits from Aviks Trade in 2005 and 2006 for not enforcing the sale contract.

Luuk said Tammiste and Aviks Trade board member Vladimir Saksiniga, also the board member of Fervesta group are the primary suspects in the investigation.

Officials did not indicate when the investigation would be completed.

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