First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure (695 SE)
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-09 01:00
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item was the first reading of Draft Act 695, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, introduced the draft act, emphasizing its technical nature. The purpose of the draft act is to bring Estonian domestic law into full compliance with four different European Union legal acts, as a subsequent review by the European Commission found that Estonia’s initial transposition still required clarification. The amendments concern attacks against information systems (the punishability of preparation for the interception of computer data), the European Arrest Warrant (harmonization of the grounds for the surrender of third-country nationals), the right to counsel and notification upon detention, and procedural safeguards for juvenile suspects, providing for more frequent review of the decision on detention. Peeter Ernits repeatedly asked questions regarding the technical nature and timing of the amendments, questioning whether this would lead to a huge number of similar clarifying draft acts. The Minister explained that this is a continuous and routine process of monitoring the transposition of EU law. Anti Haugas, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, provided an overview of the committee’s discussion, confirming that infringement proceedings will be terminated upon the rectification of deficiencies. No debate took place.
Decisions Made 2
The first reading of Draft Bill 695 SE was concluded.
The deadline for the submission of amendments was set for October 22nd of the current year at 17:15.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller introduced the 11th item on the agenda, which was the first reading of Draft Act 695 on amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, initiated by the Government of the Republic, and invited Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta to present the report.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta is introducing the bill amending the Penal Code to the Riigikogu [Parliament]. The bill is technical in nature and aims to bring Estonian domestic law into full compliance with four European Union legal acts. This necessity arises because the European Commission has requested clarifications concerning cybercrimes (specifically, the preparation for the interception of computer data), the grounds for surrender related to the European Arrest Warrant, the right of detainees to be informed, and the procedural safeguards applicable to juvenile suspects.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller gave the floor to Peeter Ernits, who was required to ask at least one question.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expressed his bewilderment and asked why they needed to submit several highly technical and complex draft bills—which are difficult to grasp—right at this moment, referring to the process as "jewelry work."
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta emphasizes that the purpose of the European Union's uniform legal acts is to ensure consistent regulation across all member states. Since Estonia has failed to apply this legislation in four minor aspects related to crime, it is now imperative that this harmonization be carried out.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller and Peeter Ernits were called to the rostrum to begin their addresses.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits acknowledges the European Commission’s observation that Estonian legal acts require line-by-line clarification, but he critically questions whether such detailed scrutiny extends to all laws, which would lead to an enormous number of amendments. He also draws attention to the shortcomings in Estonia’s own lawmaking process, where several sections—for instance, those concerning restrictions on proceedings—have been left insufficiently defined, thus allowing for broad interpretation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller signaled with a brief but clear phrase that the next speaker's time had begun and they could start their presentation.
Justiits- ja digiminister Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
The Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa-Ly Pakosta, provided a comprehensive overview of the standard process for transposing European Union law, explaining that comparison tables utilizing colored markings (such as green, blue, and red) are submitted to the Riigikogu to ensure that EU regulations are not transposed into Estonian law either insufficiently or excessively—the latter being known as "gold-plating." She stressed that this transparent practice is ongoing and additionally confirmed that other legal clarifications, such as the issue of restrictions on proceedings (or conflict of interest), are already being processed by the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller concluded the preceding round of questions and subsequently gave the floor to Anti Haugas, a member of the Legal Affairs Committee, so that he could provide an overview of the discussion that took place in the lead committee.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas provided an overview of the committee session, during which they discussed a draft act amending minor details. It was clarified that infringement proceedings initiated against Estonia would be terminated upon the rectification of deficiencies, and it was decided to conclude the first reading of the draft act and appoint Anti Haugas as the rapporteur.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller announced that, as no questions were raised and there was no request for debate, the first reading of Bill 695 SE was concluded upon the motion of the lead committee, setting the deadline for the submission of amendments as 17:15 on October 22 of the current year.