Peacekeepers' superiors suspected of having known about bribes

Defence Staff investigates allegations of tolerating bribery

print this

The Investigation Section of the Finnish Defence Staff suspects that peacekeeping personnel who had served in Afghanistan tolerated bribery by Finnish soldiers. Included among those under suspicion are those in high-ranking positions believed to have been aware of the practice, and who did nothing about it.
      According to Jari Peltonen, the head of the investigation, those being investigated are not under suspicion of taking bribes themselves. He did not say anything about the number of suspects, because the enqiries were still under way.
      The ongoing investigation was launched while authorities of the Defence Staff and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were looking into a case in which two Finnish peacekeepers are suspected of aggravated bribe taking. They are to be formally charged this week.
      The two are suspected of having accepted tens of thousands of euros from Afghani construction contractors in 2004 and 2005.
     
The investigation into the alleged bribery was sparked by a report from within the crisis management forces themselves. The trial begins later this month.
      Colonel Martti Koskela, the head of the International Centre of the Ministry of Defence, is upset by the events.
      "They are not damaging the reputation of Finnish peacekeepers - yet - but this is leaving an unpleasant taste", Koskela ponders.
      He is eagerly awaiting the trial, but he is not in a good mood about it. "Then we will hear if this was a case of inadequate supervision, or what."
      When the investigation that is going on is ready, the head of operations of the Defence Staff, Major General Markku Koli, will decide if the matter will go to the prosecutors.
      The Finnish Civilian and Military Cooperation (CIMIC) section was in Kabul from early 2002 until February this year. A total of six hundred peacekeepers worked there at various times.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Aamulehti: Several suspects in peacekeeping bribes scandal (1.6.2007)
  Second Finnish soldier under suspicion in Afghanistan bribery case (23.11.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat