Kinnipeetava

Kinnipeetava is the Estonian term for a person deprived of liberty by state authorities during criminal proceedings. The term refers to a detainee awaiting investigation or trial, and is distinct from a convicted prisoner. The kinnipeetava status arises when police or prosecutors request pre-trial detention and a court rules to deprive the person of liberty for a limited period, which is subject to regular review and possible extension.

Detainees may be held in police detention facilities or other secure premises. Grounds for detention typically include risk of flight, risk of tampering with evidence, or risk of hindering proceedings. Detainees have rights including to be informed of the grounds for detention, to legal counsel, to communicate with the outside world, to health care, and to humane treatment; to challenge the detention before a court (habeas corpus or equivalent), and to timely judicial review.

Detention ends when charges are dropped, the person is released on bail, or a court issues a final decision resulting in release or conviction. A detainee who is acquitted or whose charges are dismissed must be immediately released; if convicted, the person may become a prisoner with a separate status and rights.

Note: The exact rules vary by jurisdiction; this article describes the general concept of kinnipeetava as used in Estonian legal language.