Finland steps up efforts to curb harmful foreign funding

Finland has strengthened its efforts to prevent harmful foreign funding, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen told Yle, after two Islamic foundations in the country faced problems with banks and authorities over money from abroad.

Banks refused to handle the foundations’ payments and closed their accounts. The Finnish Security Intelligence Service also blocked a wealthy Saudi funder from entering Finland, citing concerns that he could endanger national security.

The foundations are the Finnish Islamic Centre Foundation and the Nordic Foundation. Their leading figure, Aladin Maher, has transported at least hundreds of thousands of euros in cash across EU borders, partly because of the banking difficulties. Bringing money into the country is legal if large sums are declared to Finnish Customs, and Maher has done so. Yle reports that neither Maher nor the foundations is suspected of any crime.

The Nordic Foundation drew public attention in 2023, when a space in Helsinki’s Malmi district intended for use as a daycare centre was reported to be operating as a mosque and receiving Saudi funding. Helsinki ordered the space, dubbed a “secret mosque” in public discussion, to stop operating, under threat of a fine, partly because of noise complaints.

At the time, Rantanen said legislation should be reviewed to make it possible to prevent harmful funding from abroad. Asked by Yle what had happened since, she said authorities must have the tools to intervene when foreign funding involves concealed control, harmful state influence or a real use of funds that differs from what has been declared. She added that legal international activity should not be treated as criminal.

The Interior Ministry has published an action plan on money laundering and terrorist financing risks. It sets out how risks linked to funding for non-profit organisations, including associations, foundations and religious communities, should be managed and monitored in Finland.

Legislation on terrorist offences and terrorist financing was tightened in June, with changes to 21 laws. Rantanen said the amendments clarified regulations and expanded the scope of punishable conduct. The recent Finnish changes were driven mainly by stricter EU rules, she said, and further requirements may follow. The European Parliament has called for tighter oversight of EU funding and full transparency in funding chains.

Rantanen said work to combat harmful foreign funding must continue through legislation. She also wrote that Finland must first acknowledge and identify what she described as Islam’s political significance in society and its potential risks.