© Edited by MTV
The intersection of Thurevikinkatu and Aarnintie this afternoon
One line of investigation is that the detonation was directed at the Border Guard. However, there are no indications of terrorism.
The Central Criminal Police (KRP) has taken over responsibility for investigating Tornio’s Tuesday blast.
Teemu Mäntyniemi, Director of Investigation, Commissioner for Crime, tells STT that the management of the investigation was transferred to KRP this morning.
According to Mäntyniemi, KRP has investigated the events together with the Lapland police from the beginning.
Mäntyniemi says that the transfer of the investigation management to KRP was considered appropriate.
– This seems to be such a complex case that the case was transferred to the head of the Central Criminal Police. The Lapland Police Department will continue to be actively involved in the investigation, but the management of the investigation was transferred to the Central Criminal Police, Mäntyniemi says.
According to Mäntyniemi, the police do not currently know why the blasting was carried out.
– Cases referring to terrorism can be ruled out at this time, but no other information is currently motivated.
According to Mäntyniemi, there are several lines of investigation and they are actively inspected. He says no arrests have been made during the investigation.
According to KRP, the events are still being investigated as destruction and explosive crime.
The explosive was smaller
The target of the blasting was a blue Volkswagen Transporter van leased for the use of the Border Guard, which did not have the Border Guard’s symbols. The stern of the car was damaged in the explosion, but no injuries were caused.
So far, Mäntyniemi does not have precise information about what kind of explosive was placed under the car.
– There’s been some kind of explosive. Smaller because the damage has been minor. I have no information about the quality of the explosive, Mäntyniemi says.
A technical investigation by the police is currently finding out in laboratory investigations what explosive was in the explosive.
Mäntyniemi cannot say even more precisely how much expertise the manufacture of a used explosive has required.
– But it doesn’t work for anyone. There must be familiarity with the matter.
The blast took place on Aarnintie in the Putaa district at about 00.50 on Tuesday night.
Aarnintie is a low-rise residential area. Employees of the Border Guard have been accommodated on Aarnintie.
Mäntyniemi says that according to the police, the rental car was last used the night before the explosion.
Investigation lines open
Mäntyniemi says that he will not be able to take a position on whether the blast was an attempt to send a message. According to him, there are no indications that the blasting was intended to harm people.
– The investigation is at an early stage, and it is still too early to make such speculations.
According to Mäntyniemi, one of the lines of investigation is that the act was directed against the Finnish Border Guard.
– But on the other hand, the fact that it was a wrong car or a mistake or something else cannot be ruled out either. All lines of investigation are open.
Lots of tips from the audience
At the moment, the preliminary investigation includes talking to eyewitnesses to the explosion and checking hints from the public.
According to Mäntyniemi, there have been many audience tips.
– Dozens of clues have come in and are being actively checked by the police all the time.
Police are still requesting eyewitness sightings from around the scene on Tuesday night from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– In particular, we need more information about the three-man party that moved from Aarnintie to Thurevikinkatu. In addition, we are interested in the small red car that was driving on Aarnintie at the time of the incident and the moped that was driving on Aarnintie at the same time, Mäntyniemi says in a KRP press release.
The police hope that the above-mentioned parties will report to the police.
Tips can be sent to the Lapland Police on 0295 466 259 or by e-mail to [email protected].