Turku city employee detained for three days over procurement irregularities, employment terminated

A Turku city employee involved in infrastructure maintenance procurement has been dismissed following a three-day police detention in early May, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports.

The termination, effective immediately, stems from alleged irregularities in invoicing related to street maintenance contracts. The employee, who prepared and managed procurement tenders, received formal notice of dismissal last week after a hearing. The decision was made by Toni Haapakoski, head of the city’s infrastructure services, though the official personnel ruling remains non-public.

The employee, who spoke to Yle on condition of anonymity to avoid harming future job prospects, confirmed being detained and questioned by police in early May. Authorities reportedly inquired about approved invoices and professional contacts, though no formal charges have been disclosed. Police declined to confirm the detention or questioning to Yle, and the employee denies wrongdoing.

The dismissal centers on claims of insufficient invoice details for infrastructure projects in the Turku region. The employee noted that the invoices had been approved without objection by supervisors or city accounting staff. Neither Haapakoski nor his superior, Kimmo Suonpää, commented on the termination.

Turku city council will be formally notified of the dismissal today. Under Finnish labor law, termination without notice requires grave cause and takes immediate effect, unlike standard resignations with notice periods.

Yle reported the case due to its rarity—a municipal employee’s detention—and its connection to public fund management.