Harju court convicts Tõnis Sildaru of misappropriating daughter Kelly's earnings

Harju County Court found Tõnis Sildaru guilty of misappropriating the assets of his minor daughter, freestyle skiing star Kelly Sildaru, on an especially large scale. He received a two-year suspended sentence with a two-year probationary period. Freelance jurist Kärt Pormeister called the verdict highly significant.

Harju County Court in Estonia delivered a landmark verdict on Tuesday, finding Tõnis Sildaru guilty of misappropriating the assets of his minor daughter, world-renowned freestyle skier Kelly Sildaru, on an especially large scale. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended with a two-year probationary period.

Freelance jurist Kärt Pormeister commented on the outcome, saying that despite the full written reasoning of the court's decision not being published until the end of June, the available information already indicates this is a highly important ruling. In plain language, as she put it, «ta pani tütre raha tuuri» — he spent his daughter's money on himself.

Kelly Sildaru rose to global fame as a teenage prodigy in freestyle skiing, earning significant prize money and sponsorship income from a young age. Her father Tõnis Sildaru served as her manager and had control over her finances during her minor years, which formed the basis of the criminal case against him.

The suspended sentence means Tõnis Sildaru will not serve time behind bars provided he does not commit further offences during the two-year probationary period. Legal observers note that the full reasoning of the verdict, expected at the end of June, will offer important clarity on how Estonian courts approach the financial protection of minor athletes and child performers.