Trial of Alleged Organisers
D. Linter, D. Klenski, M. Sirok and M. Reva were accused of organizing the riots. International freedom of expression NGO ARTICLE 19 has called to acquit them.
On December 11, 2008, the trial of men charged with organising of the riots ended; most of the last day was spent on delivering a lengthy judgement.
On January 5, 2009, the Harju County Court found not guilty (according to Postimees, under principle of in dubio pro reo, according to LICHR, "concluding that the evidence proved only one fact – that mass riots did take place in the downtown Tallinn on April 26 – 28, 2007") four men accused of organization of riots during Bronze Night riots.
The prosecutor has appealed the decision. The acquittal, however, was upheld.
In 2009, The Estonian government passed the law nicknamed "Bronze Night law", that reinforces the penalties and improves and refines the laws, relating to the distribution of national secrets, actions against the state, actions of promoting against the state and encourage or participate in riots.
Read more about this topic: Bronze Night
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