Man arrested after bomb scare leads to evacuation of Billund Airport in Denmark

Around 10,000 travelers were affected at Billund Airport on April 20 when a 37-year-old Russian-speaking man handed over an object to the police, claiming it contained explosives. The airport was evacuated and closed for nearly nine hours.

Limited information has been released about the incident, but police documents indicate that the substance, TATP, was assessed for its danger level. This investigation is connected to a prior explosion of an ATM near the airport on the same day. Authorities performed chemical analyses on the object, which was subsequently detonated by military bomb disposal units in an area near Hejnsvig, about 13 kilometers west of Billund.

TATP, sometimes referred to as “Mother of Satan,” is known for its instability and potency, raising concerns about its potential use in attacks. Experts have noted that even small quantities can cause severe harm upon detonation.

There have been calls for more transparency regarding the suspect, who remains in custody, as the police declined interview requests regarding the quantities of TATP involved and its danger level. Legal experts argue that the police are improperly withholding information, despite the public’s interest due to the incident’s serious nature.

Billund police have expressed a commitment to being as transparent as possible but are constrained by ongoing investigations and court proceedings, which involve closed-door hearings. They maintained that the case is treated with high priority.

There are no indications of terrorism-related motives connected to this incident, according to experts. Investigations continue, with police stating they cannot provide further information about the case at this time.