Two Finnish peacekeepers in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are to be charged with taking bribes while serving in Afghanistan. The two men are suspected of collecting tens of thousands of dollars from local building contractors.
One of the men served as an interpreter in the crisis management forces. The two were involved in awarding reconstruction contracts to local builders.
Finnish police say that the men had taken bribes in many building projects.
The investigation into the matter was sparked by a report from the forces themselves, and the suspected bribery came out last autumn.
The interpreter was sent back to Finland when the evidence emerged. The other man had concluded his service in Afghanistan and was back at home before the matter came to light.
The suspected crimes reportedly occurred at least in 2004 and 2005. The middle-aged men were reservists.
According to Helsinki District ProsecutorJouni Peräinen, both men have partly confessed to the allegations.
The prosecution sees the crime as a serious one. If found guilty, the two could face prison terms ranging from four months to four years.
Previously, the National Bureau of Investigation also suspected that the man who served as an interpreter had committed aggravated fraud, but no charges were brought.
The matter goes before a court next week.
