Foreign man suspected of unauthorized intelligence activities in Virolahd, Finland

The National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) suspects a foreign man of engaging in unauthorized intelligence activities in Virolahd, Finland, during the fall of 2022. This type of criminal investigation is extremely rare in Finland, with no similar cases reported previously. The police have not disclosed any details about the suspect until now. Crime Commissioner Risto Lohi indicated that the suspect is a middle-aged foreign man, but he did not reveal the individual’s nationality.

“There were reasons to suspect activities related to a third country that occurred within Finnish territory. This led to certain investigative measures and the man’s arrest in Virolahd,” Lohi stated. Following his arrest, the suspect was released and has not been detained during the investigation. The potential outcomes of any charges are currently uncertain.

Unauthorized intelligence activities involve acquiring information about the national defense or security of a foreign state with the intent to harm that state or benefit another. For such acts to be deemed a crime, they must pose a threat to Finland’s foreign relations. This situation reflects a form of espionage occurring in Finland, where the target is not Finland itself. Penalties for such offenses can reach up to six years of imprisonment.

Lohi did not specify which country the alleged activities were directed towards. The investigation seeks to determine if the man was gathering information specifically for another state and whether the criteria for the crime are met. According to Lohi, the suspicion arose during border monitoring, although the suspected crime is not directly related to the border itself. The preliminary investigation is nearing completion, with a goal to finalize it by the end of the year.