Police suspect regional official took more than 20,000 euros in bribes

Yle reports that police in southwestern Finland suspect an official who worked at a former ELY Centre of accepting bribes in connection with transport-related procurements.

Police are finalising a pre-trial investigation into alleged public office and bribery offences linked to the planning and construction of community transport infrastructure.

The official, who handled tenders at the former ELY Centre, is suspected of accepting bribes from one company and favouring it in procurement processes in a manner outside the scope of the official’s duties. The official is believed to have received more than 20,000 euros in benefit from the company.

Two representatives of the company are suspected of aggravated bribery.

Another company that took part in the tenders filed a request for an investigation with police in December 2025. It is considered an injured party in the pre-trial investigation.

The official is suspected of aggravated abuse of public office, breach of official duty and aggravated acceptance of bribes. The alleged offences took place between 2022 and 2026.

Police have not said whether the official worked at the ELY Centre for Southwest Finland or the ELY Centre for Satakunta. The services of both centres were transferred under the Southwest Finland Vitality Centre at the end of last year.

The vitality centre suspended the official from their duties in May. The case will be referred for consideration of charges during the autumn.