Yle: Two espionage suspects detained in Finnish Lapland

Two men suspected of espionage were detained in Finnish Lapland several days ago, according to an investigation by Yle. Prosecutors are seeking their remand in Helsinki, and the hearings were still under way.

Swedish population records show two men with exactly the same names and ages. They were born in 1986 and 1988 and are registered at the same apartment in Härnösand, a small coastal town in northern Sweden. They also share the same middle name and surname.

Police suspect the offences took place recently, between 30 August and 12 September. Rovaniemi hosted the European Arctic Summit on 13 and 14 September, attended by European leaders and hosted by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. Yle has no information on whether the espionage suspicions are connected to the summit.

Yle’s review of the Pandora Papers found that one of the men is the beneficial owner of a company registered in the British Virgin Islands. The company was one of a large number of companies listed at the same address.

The men are not known to have criminal convictions in Finland. Yle also asked Swedish district courts about possible convictions in Sweden. None had been found at the Ångermanland District Court, which serves their home region, or so far at other courts. The information may be updated.

Neither man has an address in Finland or any company connections there visible in public registers. At least one of them has strong ties to France.

The suspected location of the espionage is not known. Both men are being sought for remand on the grounds that there is reason to suspect them of an offence. Yle was unable to reach the lead investigator for comment.