Estonian citizen in custody in Finland after setting fire to man
A 53-year old Estonian citizen is in custody in Finland on suspicion of attempted murder after setting fire to another man, following an argument.
The incident took place in the town of Nurmijärvi, about 40 km north of Helsinki on Friday night.
The Eastern Uusimaa Police Department received a call Friday night, informing them a man had doused gasoline on the other man and then ignited it. The police and emergency services then attended the scene, finding the victim extensively burned, daily Helsingin Sanomat writes (link in Finnish).
Witnesses told police that the men had had an argument, after which the suspect threw the accelerant on the victim and lit it, before fleeing the scene.
The victim was taken to hospital. Mikko Kiiski, the officer in charge of the investigation, said the victim was a man in his thirties.
The suspect is thought to be an Estonian citizen, born in 1967. The nationality of the victim was not disclosed.
Kiiski said: "The assailant's motive will be specified during the preliminary investigation but it seems the perpetrator acted on the whim of the moment and alcohol had played a role."
He added police will conduct an investigation to establish the course of events in more detail.
Kiiski added: "The case will be handled as attempted murder. The suspect has been detained is being held in custody."
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Editor: Kristjan Kallaste
