Keminmaa councillors ask watchdog to probe undisclosed police material

Two Keminmaa councillors have asked Finland’s Parliamentary Ombudsman to investigate whether municipal managers withheld information relevant to decisions about suspected officials. Yle reports that the municipal board and council chair did not receive police material before considering whether to suspend the officials from their positions in spring 2025.

Janne Hietala and Ilpo Varonen, from the Keminmaalaisten parhaaksi group, filed a complaint against acting municipal manager Perttu Karinkoski and municipal manager Hannele Matinlassi. They want the Ombudsman to examine whether the two acted contrary to the law and good administrative practice.

Police requested documents related to a March 2020 municipal board meeting in 2022 and again in early 2025. Matinlassi did not tell the board about the requests. She has said she did not intend to conceal information unnecessarily and that officials are bound by confidentiality requirements.

Karinkoski received police pre-trial investigation material on 17 March 2025 but did not inform the board. The material was intended for those deciding whether to suspend the councillors from their positions. Police had earlier told Karinkoski that the material was confidential and that the municipality was not a party to the case.

The board was considering suspending seven officials suspected of crimes. Three Keminmaa politicians were later convicted: in December 2025, the Lapland District Court sentenced Raimo Arponen, Tuula Eilittä and Eeva-Marja Läkkö to 20 day-fines each for abuse of public office.

The board has acknowledged that it should have been told about the investigation material. Members disagree over whether it could have affected their decisions. The material was formally entered in the municipal register on 21 September 2026. Both managers deny deliberately concealing it.