Other events in Baltic States

In order to complete the second stage of construction of the new Orthodox church in Lasnamäe, Tallinn, over 3 million EUR is needed, the majority of which will be provided by Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin-managed Andrei Pervozvannyi Foundation, LETA/Äripäev.ee writes.

Mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar and the foundation’s first deputy president Mihhail Yakushev summed up at their meeting on Wednesday the first stage of construction that ended in February. They also discussed the strategy and schedule of the second stage, which would enable to carry out the first real church services in the church in 2013 and also build the bell tower of the church.

The construction has been stalled from the start of this year due to lack of funds. In September, mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar asked support from the Culture Ministry for building a Sunday school on the territory of the church but minister Rein Lang announced that there are no means earmarked for this.

Last December, the Security Police revealed a document that indicated that Savisaar asked 1.5 million EUR of support for the Centre Party from Russian Railways manager Vladimir Yakunin. Savisaar claimed then that the support was meant for the Orthodox Church that is being built in Lasnamäe but Security Police said that Yakunin promised money to the Centre Party for parliamentary elections.