Explosion at Tallinn shopping center - Police detain 60-year-old man
Photo: Estonian Police and Border Guard Board detained the organizer of the explosion at a Tallinn shopping center (facebook.com/politseijapiirivalveamet)
A 60-year-old man has been detained in Tallinn on suspicion of carrying out an explosion at the Ülemiste Shopping Centre. The incident was isolated and not linked to terrorism, with possible motives including personal disputes and an intent to cause damage to the shopping center, according to ERR.
Estonia’s Prosecutor General, Astrid Asi, said the suspect does not hold Estonian citizenship and has a prior criminal record. His questioning is ongoing, and prosecutors have already requested his arrest.
The explosion was deliberate, and the device was homemade. The Director General of the Estonian Internal Security Service, Margus Palloson, confirmed that the threat to the public has been reduced and that the incident is not linked to terrorism or extremism.
The injured shopping center employee received assistance and will be able to continue treatment at home within a few days.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, Egert Belitšev, said that despite the detention, police patrols have been reinforced to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.
Background
On Saturday, December 20, an explosion occurred in a trash bin at the Ülemiste Shopping Centre, injuring one employee. The Estonian Internal Security Service opened a criminal case and confirmed that the overall threat level for the population had not increased.
The shopping center immediately inspected all trash bins for additional explosive devices, and no further threats were found. Management said visitor and staff safety is a priority, and the mall continues operating as normal with enhanced security measures.
Following the incident, police contacted shopping centers across Estonia, issuing safety recommendations for the holiday period. The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Prosecutor’s Office together with the Internal Security Service.
Earlier, an incident at a large shopping center in Estonia’s capital prompted an evacuation after emergency services received a report of an explosion in a trash bin at Ülemiste. One person standing nearby was injured and taken to the hospital.
Separately, it was also reported that in early 2025, a series of hoax bomb threats targeted buildings in several Ukrainian cities, including schools and shopping centers. On February 2, an explosion occurred at a military enlistment office in Pavlohrad, injuring one man. A day earlier, an explosion at a similar facility in Rivne killed one person and injured six others. According to Andrii Kovalenko, those incidents were coordinated by Russian special services.
