No charges over €2.5m security contract for Iraqi family

Prosecutors have decided not to press charges against officials from the Central Uusimaa Social and Health Services Joint Authority (Keusote) over the purchase of round-the-clock security services for an Iraqi refugee family, Yle reports.

The officials had been suspected of exceeding their authority and neglecting supervisory duties in procuring the services, which cost approximately €2.5 million between 2021 and 2022. The Uusimaa ELY Centre covered part of the expenses.

The security measures were implemented due to fears the mother and her three youngest children faced a risk of honour-based violence. The mother, who had filed for divorce in summer 2021, reported receiving threats and feared being killed to preserve her husband’s family honour in accordance with Arab cultural norms. She claimed her husband had been a member of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

The Finnish Immigration Service had granted the mother and her children refugee status and residence permits in May 2019, citing a need for international protection due to the risk of honour-based violence. In October 2021, the mother and her youngest children were placed under the Immigration Service’s human trafficking victim assistance system, following prolonged domestic abuse and security threats from the father.

A former security chief at the private security firm Securitas, initially suspected of misleading authorities into purchasing the services, was also cleared. Prosecutors found no evidence of intentional deception, noting his actions appeared aimed at safeguarding the family from genuine threats.

Police had previously described the protection arranged for the family as exceptional and unique. The investigation, led by Eastern Uusimaa police, was announced in June 2024.