Cathedral fire: Police have "strong suspicions" against suspects
No details revealed on identity of suspects
Police say that they have "strong suspicions" against a number of young adults whom they believe were behind Sunday night’s arson attack against Porvoo Cathedral.
The suspects were placed under arrest on Tuesday. The head of the investigation, Chief Inspector Bengt Renlund of the Porvoo police, did not reveal the identity of those arrested, their ages, their possible motives, or their exact number. He said that they are young adults, Finnish citizens, and that they come from the Porvoo region.
The suspects were detained on Monday, and were placed under arrest the same evening. Under Finnish law, they must be either remanded in custody or released by noon on Thursday.
The police also did not say anything on Monday about what the suspects may have said during interrogation. Renlund said that police came upon the suspects by piecing together technical evidence, information from members of the public, and statements made during interviews. Many people have come forward with information, but the police are appealing for more.
Renlund is not yet saying the exact time, or in what part of the church the fire first broke out. "We have our own views on that", he noted. The investigators are nevertheless convinced that the fire was deliberately set.
Technical investigations in the medieval church continued on Tuesday. Police investigators piled up charred beams and pieces of the roofing, and took photographs.
At the same time, the church and surroundings were being cleared of debris.
Police said that the reason that they were giving so few details on the case was that they did not want to prejudice the recollections of witnesses.
"There are still many interrogations and interviews to be conducted. We do not want to influence the opinions of these people by giving out the information that we have at this moment", says Porvoo Police Chief Kari Tiittula at a press conference held on Tuesday.
Renlund does not see any connection between the Porvoo Cathedral fire and the fire at the condemned railway warehouses in Helsinki in early May. Nevertheless, police in Porvoo have been in contact with Helsinki police investigating the warehouse fire.
There was also an attempt to burn an old church in Paimio last weekend. St. Michael’s Church, which was built in the 17th century, is now being guarded around the clock.
Porvoo Cathedral is traditionally a very popular venue for summer weddings. According to Martin Fagerudd, vicar of the Swedish Parish of Porvoo, most of the weddings that were to have been celebrated at the cathedral will be held at the nearby "Small Church", which was not damaged.
Previously in HS International Edition:
Several suspects apprehended over arson of Porvoo Cathedral (30.5.2006)
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 31.5.2006 - TODAY |
Cathedral fire: Police have "strong suspicions" against suspects
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