Russian citizen sets self on fire on election day in Narva, escapes with minor injuries

  • 2017-10-16
  • LETA/TBT Staff

TALLINN – A Russian citizen set himself on fire in a central square of the northeast Estonian border city Narva on Sunday in what he described as an act of protest against the Republic of Estonia, the news portal of public broadcaster ERR reported.

The man who set himself on fire on Peetri Square at about 1:30 p.m escaped with minor injuries as he threw himself down on the ground immediately and thus extinguished the flame. According to tentative reports the man is a citizen of Russia and in his own words his act was meant as a protest against the Republic of Estonia, ERR said.

A police patrol seized a canister with gasoline from the man and detained him.

The man refused further comment.

An ambulance and the police took care of the man on the scene.

Postimees said the report that the man is a citizen of Russia remains unconfirmed.

Elections to municipal councils across Estonia are being held on Sunday.