At the request of the North District Prosecutor’s Office and with the permission of the courts, 33-year-old Anton was taken into custody on Friday, District Prosecutor spokesperson Kaarel Kallas told ERR’s online news portal.

A criminal investigation was initiated under the paragraph of the Penal Code regarding the causing of serious health damage.

“There is currently reason to believe that Anton has been aware of his health condition for approximately 15 years and has deliberately eschewed the treatment prescribed to him,” said Kallas. “According to the allegations, Anton confirmed to one of his sexual partners that he did not have any veneral diseases, due to which the woman agreed to be sexually active with him without using protection and contracted HIV herself.”

According to Kallas, law enforcement officers have reason to believe that the suspect may have been sexually active with other women while deliberately concealing his illness as well, as according to information gathered during the preliminary investigation, he often found his victims in nightclubs.

According to Rait Pikaro, chief of the North Prefecture Criminal Bureau, police are currently aware of only one victim.

“Information gathered during the preliminary investigation suggests that the man may have other victims who may unknowingly transmit the disease in turn,” said Pikaro. “Thus the police are asking anyone who has been in sexual contact with the man pictured to get tested as soon as possible and contact the police. Every bit of information is important so that we can identify all victims who unknowingly may also carry the disease today.”

According to District Prosecutor Anneli Lumiste, the criminal investigation is currently only in its early stages, which is why they are currently unable to share more detailed information regarding evidence collected during the investigation.

“The Prosecutor’s Office can confirm that there is enough evidence to suggest that the suspect may continue to commit new crimes, which is why we applied to take him into custody,” explained the prosecutor. “Evidence likewise suggests that Anton may have more victims. Their number is currently in the process of being identified, however it would be a great help if any victims of his contacted the police themselves, even if they themselves were not infected with HIV.”

Police are also asking that anyone who has any information regarding Anton’s activities to contact the North Prefecture Criminal Bureau at +372 5887 2417 or the police info line at +372 612 3000.