Russia's commercial representation in Helsinki has denied that it had benefitted financially from prostitution.
In a statement published on its web site on Thursday, the representation says that suspicions that the representation was involved in commercial sex are without foundation.
However, the statement also admits that prostitution had been practiced in apartments owned by the representation.
Police in Helsinki reported on Wednesday that the Russian commercial representation had benefitted financially from extensive an pimping operation run by a Russian woman, who had paid over EUR 80,000 in rent for the use of the flats.
Police say that the suspect had used 8 - 10 apartments owned by the trade representation, and delivered money that she collected from a number of prostitutes to representation on a weekly basis.
Police also believe that two employees of the representation were involved in the scheme. They were protected from prosecution by their diplomatic immnity, and have since returned to Russia.
Russia's trade envoy Valery Schlyamin was not available for comment on Thursday.
