On Friday, Finland’s Parliament approved the government’s proposal for new police powers relating to preliminary investigations and the use of coercive means.
When put to a vote, the government coalition’s majority sufficed to turn down the amendments proposed by the opposition.
As a result of the reform, the police will be empowered to use for example secret coercive means, including various methods of telephone tapping.
A person who has been a target for a house search may have the legitimacy of the search examined afterwards in court.
This applies both to the legal conditions for such a search as well as to the method of the search.
Parliament also took into account the supervision of the use of coercive means.
The Legal Affairs Committee suggested that the setting up of an expert body should be considered to supervise both the activities of the authorities conducting preliminary investigations and the use of coercive means.
The large bill package was approved at the last moment, as Parliament had to modify the government bill to a considerable extent.
The preparation of the bill came in for sharp criticism.
