Police investigate suspicions of hockey team ex-managing director's involvement in drug case

Pentti Matikainen denies suspicions of perjury

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Pentti Matikainen, former managing director of the Helsinki IFK (HIFK) hockey team, denies allegations that he had either lied in court or in the preliminary investigation linked with the drug case involving hockey player Jere Karalahti.
      Matikainen would not comment on the matter on Thursday, and directed all inquiries to his lawyer Ari Väntsi. Väntsi denied the allegations, saying that probably various misunderstandings are to blame.
     
The case was first reported by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE). According to the report, prosecutor Erkki Huhtala had filed a criminal complaint against Matikainen.
      YLE says that Huhtala had ordered the Espoo police to investigate whether or not HIFK money had been used for the financing of Karalahti's dealings in drugs. The police confirmed that a request had been made, but would not comment any further.
     
Pentti Matikainen had been called to testify as a witness concerning financial matters between HIFK and Jere Karalahti.
      According to YLE, Matikainen had given conflicting statements. During the preliminary investigation he had told police that the Oulu Kärpät team had paid Karalahti's debt of EUR 23,000.
      In court he said that Karalahti had owed the same amount of money on the basis of heavy partying.
     
Matikainen's lawyer says that the notion that HIFK money had been used to finance drug deals by Karalahti is an "outrageous allegation".
      He said that he was in touch with his client on Thursday evening. Matikainen had said that he not heard about the suspicions against him until they were made public.
      Harri Tuohimaa, Chairman of the board of HIFK, was also surprised by the allegations.
      Tuohimaa promised that the hockey club would cooperate with the investigation. "As far as I know, we have nothing to hide", he said.
     
Pentti Matikainen testified in court on January 31st. On Monday of the following week he was sacked from his position as managing director of HIFK. Tuohimaa says that the two incidents were unrelated.
     
Last week Jere Karalahti was given a suspended sentence for aiding and abetting in an aggravated drug crime.
      Helsinki District Court found that Karalahti had financed a Finnish-Estonian amphetamine gang to the tune of EUR 10,000.
      Both Karalahti and the prosecutor said that they would appeal the decision.
      Karalahti has denied any criminal activity, while the prosecutor had called for a six-year prison sentence.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Suspended sentence for hockey player Jere Karalahti in drug trial (25.3.2008)
  Jere Karalahti owed money to friend and drank heavily in May and June (1.2.2008)
  Prosecutor calls for jail term of at least six years for hockey player Jere Karalahti (30.1.2008)
  Hockey player Karalahti indicted in massive drugs case (16.1.2008)
  Hockey pro Jere Karalahti taken into custody on drug suspicions (8.11.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat