Around 20 suspected break-ins at MPs' homes in Helsinki
Parliamentary Speaker Jussi Halla-aho said that a significant number of suspected break-ins at MPs' homes have come to light. Helsinki police have taken the cases under investigation.
MPs' homes suspected as break-in targets – police begin investigation
According to Ilta-Sanomat's information, approximately 20 apartments of MPs located in Helsinki have potentially been unlawfully entered as break-in targets. Parliamentary Speaker Jussi Halla-aho (ps) confirmed at a press conference on Thursday that suspected cases have come to light in a "significant number".
According to Halla-aho, no signs of burglary have been detected in the apartments and nothing has been stolen or damaged. Instead, marks have been left in the apartments, which MPs may not have immediately noticed.
– It is possible that the marks were left deliberately for the occupant of the apartment to notice, Halla-aho said.
He did not elaborate on what kind of marks they are, as publishing them could jeopardise the investigation.
Information first spread to parliamentary group leaders
Deputy Speaker Paula Risikko (kok), who heads the parliament's overall security working group, said she received information about the cases on Wednesday evening last week from one MP. This MP had compiled observations received from other colleagues.
The next day, Risikko contacted the parliament's security chief, and on the same Thursday evening, parliamentary group leaders were called together after question time. They were asked to assess the situation in their own groups and encourage representatives to report their observations with a low threshold.
According to Halla-aho, more cases have subsequently come to light "in dribs and drabs". The first case is believed to have occurred about a year ago, but the exact timing of observations is made difficult by the fact that their significance was not always understood immediately.
No evidence of party or gender-related connections
According to Risikko, the cases involve MPs from different parties. Halla-aho stated that no common denominator related to gender or party affiliation has been detected.
– At this stage we cannot speculate about who the perpetrator is. We want to clarify that, Risikko said.
Halla-aho stressed that this is so far only a matter of suspected incidents, and speculating about the perpetrator is "completely pointless" at this stage. He did, however, note that state actors are known occasionally to engage in activities that resemble the suspected cases. A possible information security threat or other threat will be clarified as part of the investigation.
Helsinki police have taken investigation responsibility
According to Risikko, authorities were met on Wednesday, after which Helsinki police took responsibility for the matter. The investigation is also supported by the Central Criminal Police.
MPs have been instructed to file a crime report if they have reason to suspect a break-in at their apartment. The instruction also applies to observations at provincial residences. On Thursday, written instructions were sent to all MPs regarding which observations should be noted.
– We are not taking things for granted, but the security unit is vigilant all the time, Risikko said.
– Only when the police have completed the investigation will conclusions be drawn, Risikko added.
Source: Ilta-Sanomat