Latvia detains two suspects in Milrem Robotics arson case

Latvian authorities have detained two suspects in connection with the suspected arson attack on the Milrem Robotics building, ERR reported. The investigation has confirmed that the fire was deliberately planned, prosecutors said.

State Prosecutor Gardi Anderson said Estonia was cooperating with Latvian authorities and that the suspects could be transferred to Estonia soon. A court has approved prosecutors’ requests to arrest both suspects.

“According to the information available at present, three suspects took part in the arson. We are working closely with Latvian law enforcement authorities,” Anderson said. “We are cooperating with our Latvian colleagues to bring the suspects to Estonia.”

The third suspect has not yet been arrested, but Anderson said a decision on the matter would be made soon.

Anderson said investigators were certain the fire had been intentional and planned. “We are checking all possibilities, including whether this was sabotage. We cannot disclose more detailed information about the investigative theories at this stage,” she said.

A local resident reported suspicious activity near the Milrem Robotics building on Saturday and alerted the emergency centre. A criminal investigation is being conducted, with suspects identified based on evidence collected by the Internal Security Service and Northern Prefecture police.

Prosecutor General Astrid Asi said on Tuesday that the possible motives were still being examined, including whether the incident could have been an attempted act of sabotage.