Estonian Church challenges termination of lease for its Tallinn chancery

The chancery of the Metropolitan of Tallinn and All Estonia at 64 Pikk Street in Tallinn. Photo: Tallinn

The Estonian Christian Orthodox Church has filed an appeal with Estonia’s Supreme Court challenging the termination of the lease for its chancery in Tallinn, Delfi reports.

The case concerns city-owned premises at 64 Pikk Street, which house the chancery of the Metropolitan of Tallinn and All Estonia. Tallinn City Council members Sander Andla and Henri Arras submitted an inquiry to the mayor asking whether the Church continues to use the building and what steps the municipal authorities intend to take.

The Harju County Court previously upheld the Kesklinn District Administration’s decision to terminate the lease. In June, the Tallinn Circuit Court left that ruling unchanged. City officials subsequently said they expected the premises to be returned to the municipality.

The Estonian Christian Orthodox Church exercised its legal right to appeal further and brought the case before the country’s highest court. Pending consideration of the appeal, the chancery continues to occupy the premises at 64 Pikk Street.

The appeal was filed with the Supreme Court on Monday. At the time of publication, no date had yet been set for the proceedings to begin.

As the UOJ previously reported, the Estonian Church may appeal to the European Court of Human Rights over the anti-Church law.

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