Itälä defends decision to inform opposition leader of Rusi espionage investigation

Retired Security Police official suspected of leaking information

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Former Interior Minister Ville Itälä (Nat. Coalition), feels that he acted both legally and "according to the rules of fair play" in the spring of 2002 when he informed MP Esko Aho, the leader of the opposition Centre Party at the time, about the investigation into possible espionage activities by political scientist and former Presidential aide Alpo Rusi.
      Itälä, who is currently a Member of the European Parliament, says that he was following the instructions of Seppo Nevala, head of the Security Police (SUPO).
      "Nevala urged me to discuss the issue with Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen, and said that Aho should also be informed", Itälä said.
      At the time, the matter was known to Lipponen (SDP), as well as President Tarja Halonen, former President Martti Ahtisaari, and Foreign Ministry official Antti Satuli.
     
Last spring Rusi lodged a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman, because the investigation into the suspicions against him had been leaked to the public prematurely.
      The matter has been investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation, and suspicions focus on a SUPO official, who has since retired.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  TV report: Ville Itälä leaked information on Rusi espionage suspicions (13.1.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat