Police suspect three minors toppled more than 100 gravestones

Police suspect three children under 15 of toppling 108 gravestones and carrying out other vandalism at Joutseno Cemetery in Lappeenranta, Yle reports.

The vandalism took place over the nights of 21 to 23 July. Memorial items were also destroyed.

Sanna Lautamatti, a senior detective with the Southeastern Finland Police Department, said officers will question the suspects in the near future.

Police are currently investigating the incident as disturbing the peace of the dead and criminal damage.

Because of the scale of the vandalism, the parish union filed a criminal report. Joutseno Parish has informed relatives if their family members’ gravestones were targeted. Most of the stones escaped significant damage.