Police question Ilkka Kanerva over financing of 60th birthday party

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Police interrogated former Foreign Minister, MP Ilkka Kanerva (Nat. Coalition Party) last week in connection with the investigation into the bankruptcy of the Nova Group, wrote the Turku newspaper Turun Sanomat on Sunday.
      Kanerva celebrated his 60th birthday in January 2008. Nova Real Estate Development backed the events to the tune of EUR 17,000 through directly contributions, and by buying seminar tickets.
     
Police were interested in the possible connections between Nova Group and zoning decisions for in the region of Southwest Finland. Kanerva served as chairman of the board of the Regional Council of Southwest Finland, which drew up zoning plans for the area.
      “This whole thing is somehow convoluted. I go to a party organised by my friends, and now there is an investigation on what kinds of zoning plans have been drawn up in Southwest Finland”, Kanerva said in the paper. He denied that there would have been any attempt to use the money to influence him in any way.
     
It remained somewhat unclear what kind of an suspected infraction Kanerva was being investigated for. He said himself that it might involve receiving a bribe.
      The Nova Group, which contributed lavishly to political candidates of its liking, went bankrupt last year. People behind the company now face charges of aggravated dishonesty as a debtor, and aggravated bookkeeping crime.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Police investigating price fluctuations of KEVA snowmobile factory (25.3.2010)
  Millions in municipal pension funds invested in Nova Group project (19.6.2009)
  TV report says Nova Group paid part of costs of Kanerva birthday celebration (27.11.2008)

See also:
  Foreign Minister pulls out all the stops in 60th birthday bash (28.1.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat