Finnish security police report serious espionage case to national investigators

Finnish authorities are investigating a suspected espionage operation that may have endangered the country’s foreign relations, national broadcaster Yle reported Wednesday.

The National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) confirmed it launched a preliminary probe in April into unauthorized intelligence activity within Finland. The case was referred by the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo), which does not conduct criminal investigations but flags potential threats to state security.

No further details have been disclosed, as the investigation remains ongoing. Under Finnish law, unauthorized intelligence activity involves acquiring information to benefit a foreign state or harm another, typically targeting national defense or security—though not directly against Finland itself. Such acts, however, risk damaging the country’s international relations.

The offense carries a prison sentence of four months to six years. This year, KRP has opened preliminary investigations into two other suspected treason cases, including one alleging the disclosure of classified security information in January. The agency is also examining a data breach at the state IT center Valtori, suspected to involve espionage.

In recent years, Finland has prosecuted several treason-related cases, including the 2025 convictions of two Helsingin Sanomat journalists for exposing state secrets. Separately, a Helsinki district court is currently hearing charges against individuals accused of spreading classified information through conspiracy theories about an international “tunnel war.”