Latvia extradites three suspects in arson at Milrem Robotics defense plant to Estonia
Latvia last week handed over to Estonia three Latvian citizens suspected of setting fire to a building used by defense company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn. A court has ordered them held in custody.
At the end of last week, Latvia extradited three of its citizens to Estonia over suspicion of arson at a building used by defense company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district. With court approval, all three were taken into custody.
State Prosecutor Gardi Anderson told ERR that the Latvian citizens suspected of the arson were questioned by the Security Police before appearing in Harju County Court. Based on evidence gathered so far and the results of questioning, the judge found grounds to remand the suspects in custody.
Investigation continues
According to Anderson, the suspects have so far been charged under a statute covering damage to and destruction of property, though the charge could change as the investigation proceeds. Over the past month, the prosecutor's office has worked together with the Police and Border Guard Board and the Security Police to establish the circumstances of the fire. Evidence gathering continues, and investigators are checking all possible scenarios, including that the incident could have been sabotage. Now that the suspects are in Estonia, investigators continue collecting and analyzing evidence.
What happened
On the night of August 15, a building used by defense company Milrem Robotics caught fire on Betooni Street in Lasnamäe. A local resident reported suspicious activity near the Milrem Robotics building to the Alarm Centre. Following the incident, Prime Minister Kristen Michal said authorities were examining a possible Russian connection to the arson.
