Two suspects held over suspected arson at Estonia's Milrem Robotics plant found in Latvia
Estonian prosecutors say two of three suspects in the arson attack on defense manufacturer Milrem Robotics' building in Tallinn have been detained in Latvia, with sabotage among the lines of investigation.
Estonia's Prosecutor's Office has said two suspects have been detained in connection with an arson attack on a building belonging to defense industry company Milrem Robotics. Initial findings indicate the act was premeditated.
A fire broke out overnight into Saturday at a Milrem Robotics building on Betooni tänav in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district. Milrem Robotics develops robotic and autonomous systems for military and security use, and its equipment is deployed in Ukraine. On Tuesday, Estonian authorities said they were investigating the incident as a possible act of sabotage.
Suspects located in Latvia
On Wednesday, prosecutors confirmed that two suspects have been detained in Latvia. State Prosecutor Gardi Anderson said Estonia and Latvia are cooperating closely and that the suspects could be transferred back to Estonia in the near future.
According to current information, three people took part in the arson, and all three have been detained in Latvia. A court has granted requests to arrest two of the suspects, and authorities are working with their Latvian counterparts to bring them to Estonia. A decision on arresting the third suspect is expected soon.
Anderson said it is certain the fire was set deliberately and had been planned in advance. Investigators are examining all possibilities, including sabotage, but declined to share further details on the direction of the investigation.
In 2022, Russia offered a reward for capturing and delivering a Milrem Robotics-built THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle used in Ukraine.
