Two Finns in pre-trial detention in connection with Spanish money laundering case

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Two Finns, a man and a woman, were ordered to pre-trial detention on Monday in connection with the money laundering case uncovered in the Spanish holiday resort of Marbella.
      Both have been transferred to a Malaga prison.
      Another Finnish woman, who was also arrested for questioning, was set free to await possible charges. According to the Spanish media's legal sources the woman in question is the wife of the detained man.
      The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirms that the trio is suspected of economic crimes related to money laundering and tax evasion in Spain.
     
The arrested Finnish businessman has long been involved in the real estate business in the holiday region of the Costa del Sol. He lives in Marbella and uses the title "consultant".
      At the heart of the investigation lies a Marbella law firm that specialises in international investments. The Finnish businessman is known to have conducted dealings with the firm.
      The Spanish police suspect the firm of reinvesting at least EUR 250 million of shady money originating from various activities such as drug trafficking, illegal arms deals, and prostitution, passed for "washing" by international organised crime.
      Some of the money is believed to have originated from the Russian oil company Yukos. Yukos is seen as the victim of the piece, rather than an active participant.
     
So far the Spanish police, who have kept a low profile in terms of the ongoing investigation, have confiscated more than 250 properties, luxury cars, private jets, and also a couple of dozen hard disks from the law firm's computers.
      In all, over forty people from various countries such as Spain, France, Russia, and Ukraine are under suspicion in conjunction with this large-scale international economic crime investigation.
      So far the Finnish central criminal police have not received a request for executive assistance from the Spanish police.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  At least two Finns face charges in conjunction with Spanish money laundering investigation (14.3.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat