Diver’s suitcase discovery in Finnish lake sparks espionage speculation

A man recently reported a peculiar discovery while searching for a submerged outboard motor at Kukkiajärvi Lake in Luopioinen. During his dive, he found a suitcase that contained unexpected radio equipment. This prompted the man to contact Antti Kautiainen, the commander of a military garrison in Hämeenlinna, back in August 1976, who was no stranger to unusual calls.

Kautiainen had a significant role as a ceremonial host and bridge between the military and civilian sectors. After listening to the caller’s account, Kautiainen arranged for the suitcase to be brought to the local police station. The following day, he drove to collect the suitcase, which was waiting for him on a table at the Pälkäne police station. Upon opening it, he noted that the radio equipment appeared to have been factory-installed, indicating it had not simply been stored in the suitcase. The radio was of American origin and had never been used by the Finnish Defence Forces.

Kautiainen described the suitcase as being in relatively good condition, though it showed minor signs of wear. According to police documents, the diver had initially struggled to retrieve a second suitcase, which remained submerged until a later attempt.

Contrary to the official record, Kautiainen insists he only observed one suitcase and one device, highlighting a discrepancy with the authorities’ account.

Speculative connections have arisen linking these radios to espionage activities involving Hella Wuolijoki, who was convicted of treason during the Continuation War. These radios, believed to have been submerged for only a few years after Wuolijoki’s death, are now unaccounted for since their last known location at the Communications Museum, which closed in 2013, before its artifacts were transferred to Museo Militaria. The current whereabouts of the radios remain a mystery.