Harju District Court orders Ülemiste bombing suspect to remain in custody
61-year-old Artur Boiko must remain in custody pending trial, the Harju District Court has decided. He is suspected of arranging an explosion at Ülemiste shopping centre last December.
Harju District Court orders Ülemiste bombing suspect to remain in custody
The Harju District Court ruled on Tuesday that Artur Boiko, 61, the suspect in an explosion at Ülemiste shopping centre in Tallinn, must remain in custody pending trial. According to court spokesperson Viivika Siplane, the decision was supported by the gravity of the charges and the man's previous criminal convictions. ERR News
According to the charges, Boiko brought a homemade explosive device to Ülemiste shopping centre on the evening of 20 December 2025 and placed it in a bin across from Rimi supermarket's checkout area. Approximately an hour and a half later, the explosion was triggered when a cleaner emptied the bin. The cleaner sustained serious injuries.
The prosecutor is charging the man not only with causing the explosion but also with unlawful handling of a large quantity of explosives and their components.
Andres Ratassepp, acting director of the Security Police (KaPo), said that during a search of Boiko's home, a large number of homemade explosives were found, and initial estimates put the number of homemade explosive devices at over 60.
The investigation involved more than 100 people, including Security Police officers, police and border guard personnel, 10 rescue workers, six bomb disposal specialists, and a police dog.
Boiko had requested to be released before trial and placed under electronic surveillance. The court will make a decision on this request after receiving an assessment from the probation service.
The suspect also wished to have his appointed defence counsel removed, but other parties to the proceedings opposed this and the court rejected the request.
The next hearing is scheduled for 31 August. At that session, the admissibility of a civil claim, the planning of forensic examinations, and any further requests will be discussed.
The prosecution charged Boiko in June with unlawful handling of explosives, causing an explosion, and attempted murder using an explosive device.
Source: ERR News