A company operating in Eastern Finland is suspected of supplying sanction-listed components to Russia. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva
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A Finnish company once dealing in wooden art and tourism is under investigation for exporting sensitive electronic components to Russia, in suspected violation of EU sanctions.
Finnish Customs announced on Thursday that the company, based in North Karelia, allegedly supplied semiconductors, microchips, processors and connectors worth €2.7 million to Russia during 2022 and 2023.
Sanna Kuparinen, head of the investigation, said the components were suitable for Russian military use and may have supported the war in Ukraine.
Authorities say the company had no prior export activity before the war began. It previously operated in the wooden art and tourism sectors, with no link to electronics.
Customs officials believe the firm acquired components from the United States, EU, China, and other regions. The goods were then routed to companies in the EU and Hong Kong, with some consignments reaching Russia directly or via Finland.
The Vaalimaa border crossing in Virolahti, southeast Finland, was a key transit point.
Investigators suspect that the company’s operations were coordinated from Russia. Two people are under investigation. One resides in Russia and has not been reached. The second, a dual Finnish-Russian citizen, has been questioned multiple times.
Customs said instructions for the exports came from the son of the Finnish-Russian suspect. The son, who served as an officer in the Russian army, listed a Russian military academy as his address when opening a bank account in Finland. A photo of him in uniform was found during a search of the suspect’s home in eastern Finland.
Authorities have not disclosed the company’s name or precise location, though they confirmed the business remains active.
The case is being investigated as aggravated regulatory offence and aggravated tax fraud. Once the investigation concludes, the case will be handed to the Eastern Finland Prosecutor’s Office.
The announcement comes as Finnish officials renew calls for tighter EU sanctions. Russia continues to in defiance of restrictions.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo urged EU members to support strengthened sanctions against Moscow.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
