Soldiers hooded man during Rovaniemi exercise, startling witness

Soldiers handcuffed, hooded and moved a man into a van in central Rovaniemi during a military exercise, surprising a foreign man who witnessed the incident, Yle reports.

The witness, who lives in Rovaniemi, was sitting in a car in a parking area with friends on Wednesday evening when he saw Defence Forces personnel restrain the man, place him on his knees and cover his head. The soldiers then moved him into a vehicle.

Yle is not publishing the witness’s name because he is a bystander in a vulnerable position due to his background. His identity is known to the editorial team.

Petri Sipilä, a lieutenant colonel and chief of staff of the Rovaniemi-based Jaeger Brigade, said the incident was part of a SERE exercise. The exercise, which ends on Friday, trains survival skills.

The Defence Forces announced the two-week exercise in early August, saying some of its activities would take place in the city of Rovaniemi. The announcement also said that personnel involved in role-play activities could be dressed in civilian clothing.

The witness said he was confused by what he saw but not frightened.

“I have never seen anything like that in Finland before. It was very strange. In my home country, I have seen much worse,” he said.

The Defence Forces did not comment further on the incident but said information about exercises is shared on its website, social media channels and through the media. It acknowledged that such communications do not always reach everyone living in areas where exercises take place.

The Defence Forces has the right to temporarily use properties other than those under its own control during exercises. It said exercises have designated referees and safety personnel who can intervene if necessary or inform bystanders about the activity. Members of the public can also approach them with questions.