Security Police alerts Criminal Police to serious espionage case in Finland – threatens foreign relations
Criminal Police launched a preliminary investigation in April into unauthorised intelligence activity in Finland. The case could jeopardise Finland's foreign relations.
Criminal Police investigates rare espionage case – Security Police report triggers preliminary investigation
The Criminal Police (KRP) launched a preliminary investigation in April into unauthorised intelligence activity in Finland, Yle News reports. The Security Police (Supo), which brought the matter to the attention of the police, confirmed the information to Yle. Since Supo does not conduct criminal investigations, responsibility for the investigation was transferred to KRP.
Neither authority is currently revealing details about the case, as the investigation is ongoing.
The criminal charge points to a serious treason offence. In unauthorised intelligence activity, a person acquires information on behalf of another state or to damage a foreign state – in practice, espionage occurring in Finland where Finland itself is not the target. However, owing to the nature of the act, it could cause damage or danger to Finland's foreign relations. The penalty can be imprisonment from four months to six years.
KRP reports that it has launched preliminary investigations this year into two other suspected treason offences. In January, a suspected disclosure of security secrets came under investigation, which KRP also does not wish to comment on in greater detail. In addition, the authority is investigating a data breach targeting the state information and communications technology centre Valtori, in which espionage is suspected.
In recent years, Finland has seen several suspected treason offences uncovered. Two Helsinki Sanomien journalists were convicted last year of disclosing security secrets. Helsinki District Court also has charges pending against men accused of spreading the international "tunnel war" conspiracy theory in connection with the same offence.
Source: Yle Uutiset