Protesters near Finnish explosives factory cleared of charges

Police in Southwest Finland have closed an investigation into three men detained near the Forcit explosives factory in Noormarkku, Pori, after determining no crimes were committed.

The men were initially suspected of environmental pollution after a report of a possible oil spill on the construction site’s premises in early July. Laboratory tests later confirmed the substance in question contained no mineral oil-based or other environmentally harmful compounds, according to a police statement by Detective Inspector Jari Klaus.

A separate report the same day involved the men erecting protest banners against the factory project on private land. Two of the detained were also suspected of possessing items capable of causing serious harm—a knife and a multitool—found in their possession at the time of arrest.

Authorities have now dropped all charges in the case.