The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating an unusual espionage case. The agency told Yle that it launched a preliminary investigation into unauthorised intelligence activities in April, focusing a suspected crime that occurred in Finland.
The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) told Yle that it notified police of the incident.
The NBI is responsible for the investigation, as the Supo does not conduct criminal investigations. Supo and the NBI refused to comment further on the case.
Possible damage to Finland’s foreign relations
The incident is being investigated as a suspected case of unauthorised intelligence activity. This typically means obtaining defence or security information in order to either benefit or harm a foreign country. Such espionage taking place within Finland against a non-Finnish target is seen as likely to endanger Finland's foreign relations.
This is a serious crime of treason, punishable by a prison term of up to six years.
Other cases under the magnifying glass
The NBI says it has also begun preliminary investigations into two other suspected crimes of treason this year.
In January, it began to look into the suspected disclosure of a security secret – but has declined to provide any further information on this probe.
The NBI is also probing a data breach targeting the state information and communications technology centre Valtori, which involves suspected espionage.
In recent years, several suspected crimes of treason have been uncovered in Finland, resulting in criminal investigations and court proceedings.
For example, two journalists who worked at Helsingin Sanomat were convicted last year of revealing a security secret in an article about a classified defence facility.
This year, two twin brothers are facing charges of revealing state secrets after spreading conspiracy theories about an international "tunnel war".
