Security Police suspends head of operative section Petri Knape

Petri Knape

print this

Petri Knape, the head of the operative section of Finland’s Security Police (SUPO), was suspended from his job on Thursday. The move is linked with an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal use of telecommunications information.
      The head of SUPO, Seppo Nevala, was suspended from his post on Tuesday. Both suspensions will be reconsidered after prosecutors decide whether or not to press charges in the matter.
     
Knape is suspected of violating official duties, and Nevala is suspected of culpable violation of official duties. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) suspects that the two failed to file a criminal complaint even though they knew that one of their subordinates had illegally acquired telecommunications information.
      Hannu Moilanen, the acting head of SUPO, emphasised on Thursday that the move does not mean that a stand has been taken on the police investigation or possible charges.
      The police investigation into the case is expected to be completed in about a week.
      Both Nevala and Knape deny any wrongdoing.
     
Both Nevala and Knape are entitled to half of their normal salary during their time of suspension.
      A third suspect, a SUPO regional chief, is on sick leave and has not been suspended yet.
      The investigation into the SUPO activities was prompted by the case involving the telecommunications service provider Sonera, which has been going on for nearly two years.
      The NBI is investigating a number of incidents in which Sonera’s internal security section had traced telephone calls without proper authorisation.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Head of Security Police suspended - decision on deputy coming later (8.9.2004)
  Head of Parliamentary committee wants tighter controls on Security Police (6.9.2004)
  Security Police leadership suspected of concealing involvement in Sonera snooping (26.8.2004)
  Allegations of illegal tracing of phone records at Sonera to go to trial in autumn (8.4.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat