Police identify three suspects in Tampere May Day assaults

Police have identified three men suspected of assaulting counter-protesters during a far-right march in Tampere on May Day, Yle reports.

The assaults took place on Hämeenkatu and at Keskustori square during an event organised by the far-right Sinimusta liike (Blue-Black Movement), which faced a counter-demonstration. One victim, Tytti Hynninen, was knocked to the ground and kicked in the head on Hämeenkatu. The masked suspects fled before police arrived.

Two of the suspects have been identified in connection with that assault, while identification work continues for a third, said Detective Chief Inspector Pasi Nieminen.

Police have also identified the suspect who kicked a counter-protester on Keskustori, where marchers from Sinimusta liike attacked a demonstrator.

All identified suspects are young men from southern Finland. “The police will not comment further on their background,” Nieminen said.

Police are also investigating a third assault linked to the May Day demonstrations in Tampere. Three people are suspected of spraying gas on a man heading toward the Sinimusta march and assaulting him on Tuomiokirkonkatu. “The suspects in that assault have not yet been identified. The investigation continues. Therefore the police cannot comment on their background or motives,” Nieminen said.