Finnish Navy veterans admit to damaging suspected pirates’ boat in 2011
The Finnish Defence Forces are investigating claims that Navy personnel drilled holes in a vessel used by suspected pirates off Somalia in 2011, after two former soldiers described the incident in a podcast and a book, Yle reports.
Janne Lehtonen, a former special forces soldier with the Finnish Navy, confirmed to Yle that holes were made in the pirates’ boat but denied any laws were broken. “The safety of the pirates was ensured,” he stated.
The allegations first surfaced when Jan Knutti, another ex-Navy soldier known from the Erikoisjoukot (Special Forces) TV series, recounted in an April episode of the Puheenaihe podcast how crew members of the minelayer Pohjanmaa drilled holes in the pirates’ boat before releasing them back to sea during the EU’s anti-piracy Atalanta operation. Knutti later told Helsingin Sanomat his claims were “rumours” and “nonsense,” saying he had no direct knowledge of the event.
Lehtonen’s 2023 memoir, Erikoisjoukoissa – Janne Lehtosen tarina (In the Special Forces – The Story of Janne Lehtonen), co-written with Kati Pukki, describes a similar incident. According to the book, the Pohjanmaa crew captured 18 suspected pirates in the Indian Ocean in 2011. With no nation willing to prosecute them, the pirates were released near Somalia’s northern coast—after their powerful engine was replaced with a small outboard motor. Lehtonen wrote that he regretted not thinking to drill holes in the boat himself, only to later discover the ship’s bosun had already done so overnight. The pirates were seen bailing water as their vessel slowly sank, though they eventually reached shore.
The Finnish Navy’s head of communications, Annele Apajakari, told Yle the Defence Forces are reviewing the credibility of the accounts, though verifying events from 15 years ago poses challenges. If confirmed, the act would violate international law and Finland’s operational mandate. Mika Raunu, the Pohjanmaa’s commander during the mission, told Helsingin Sanomat he was unaware of the allegations and insisted Finnish forces adhered to all regulations.
Lehtonen clarified to Yle that any holes drilled were not through-holes, ensuring the boat did not sink immediately. He maintained the pirates’ safety was prioritised and no laws were broken.