Escaped Stockmann bomber caught

TALLINN - Deniss Balonski, who pleaded guilty to charges of arranging two explosions in the Stockmann supermarket on May 19, was released in July by Tallinn City Court under orders not to leave the city. Balonski decided to check himself into the Tallinn Mental Hospital on Aug. 8, where he was recaptured by the Security Police Board on Aug. 16, five days after Balonski was declared wanted.

Balonski went to the hospital to undergo treatment, but one of the doctors called the police when saw a photo of Balonski in a newspaper on Aug. 16. Police officers captured Balonski the same morning.

Judge Valeri Loonik released Balonski on July 21 though he had not specified his job and had given contradictory testimony. The Tallinn District Court invalidated the city court's decree on Aug. 7, and security police officers came to Balonski to escort him to jail.

Hannes Kont, representative of the Security Police Board, said Balonski's relatives did not reveal his location, and a confidential source reported that he might have escaped to the Ukraine.

"That is why we considered the possibility to start an international search with the help of Interpol," said Kont.

Helve Sargava, chairman of Tallinn City Court, said the incident was extremely strange, and the judge should have been much more strict with the suspect.

During the investigation of the Stockmann case, Balonski passed psychological evaluations and was found mentally responsible for his crime and able to face trial. Kont said Balonski probably tried to avoid justice in the hospital.

"The Stockmann case was a serious challenge for the police, especially taking into account that the number of solved bomb cases is small all over the world," said Kont.

Stockmann estimated it lost from 5.1 million to 7.6 million kroons ($300,000 to $450,000) as a result of the two bomb explosions on May 19 and tightened security measures.

Balonski, 22, who had no criminal background, is now in Tallinn central prison. If the court finds Balonski guilty, he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. One of Balonski's accomplices was also released with orders to stay in Tallinn, and the other is in jail awaiting trial.