Midsummer holiday beach brawl triggers inquiry into police conduct

Photo: Raigo Pajula / Postimees

Estonian Interior Minister Ken-Marti Vaher said an internal investigation has been launched into police conduct after a gang of youths attacked campers on a beach in southwestern Estonia during the Midsummer holiday and that he will personally keep an eye on the proceedings.

The daily Ohtuleht reported earlier this week that a score or so youths went on the rampage through a camp site at Lemme beach near Estonia's border with Latvia and indiscriminately beat up campers including young women. One person was thrashed right under the eyes of a police patrol who did nothing to stop the beating, the paper said.

«Your description of the incident at Lemme beach on Midsummer eve raised questions and concern in me as well. Expectations of law enforcers' activity have to be high, especially where breaches of public order or offenses committed in public are involved,» the minister told the paper adding that he has asked the leadership of the Police and Border Guard Board for explanations.

Vaher stated that the police has opened an internal investigation and a criminal proceeding has been launched as well.

Three persons have been detained as suspects, spokeswoman for the West prefecture Heidy Tammeleht said. The police are busy taking statements from eyewitnesses and victims. «As there were people from all parts of Estonia at the camp site many have not yet had the time or the opportunity to give their statements, but we're cooperating with other prefectures on this,» she added.