There have recently been many public debates about the possibility of people currently residing in the al-Hol refugee camp in Syria returning and being returned to Finland and the effects this might have on internal security. In this bulletin, the police explain their role in the matter and the preparations that have been made.
The police are not the decision-making authority in the matter of people returning or being returned to Finland from al-Hol. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is the competent authority in matters relating to the rendering of support to Finnish citizens abroad and their potential repatriation to Finland, and they are also responsible for the provision of information related to such matters. The principal responsibility of the police is to maintain public order and security in Finland and to perform preliminary surveys on the returnees in accordance with the Criminal Investigation Act.
Officials are prepared for any internal security challenges that may arise as a result of the situation and are engaging in close multi-agency collaboration on the matter, though plans cannot be further explained for reasons of security.
‘The police are one of many actors in the larger matter surrounding the returnees. Most of the returnees’ needs fall within the purview of other authorities and professional bodies. Authorities assess the support needs of each individual returnee on a case-by-case basis. Similarly, the security considerations surrounding each individual will also be assessed separately. The police operate within the framework of their resources and together with other bodies,’ Chief Superintendent of the National Police Board Sami Ryhänen says.
Sustained and methodical co-operation between authorities
Co-operation with other authorities, such as constant Anchor work, is a firm part of the preventive activities and practical work of the police. Anchor work is focused on improving the well-being of young people and preventing youth crime starting from an early stage. The partners of the police both nationally and locally include social services, health authorities, the school system, youth programmes, early childhood education and religious communities. In the same way, the police co-operate with a variety of organisations, communities and local residents.
‘Should people choose to return to Finland, the matter will require years of sustained and methodical co-operation between authorities and adequate resources to support them,’ Ryhänen emphasises.
The police cannot comment on the private matters of individual families or reveal where potential returnees will settle after returning to reside in Finland. In the present situation, the common goal of the authorities is to protect the interests and privacy of children so that they can adjust to life in Finland.
‘Their successful integration into society is beneficial to everyone,’ Chief Superintendent Ryhänen says.
The police continue to monitor the security situation
The police continue to monitor the security situation. They are not aware of any critical security concerns relating to the returnees. The Finnish Security Intelligence Service is responsible for terrorism-related threat assessments.
‘The National Police Board has established modes of operation when it comes to counter-terrorism and individuals causing concern. The Finnish Security Intelligence Service, the National Bureau of Investigation and local police are in constant co-operation. In that sense, this is nothing new. The Finnish Security Intelligence Service, the National Bureau of Investigation and local police co-operate closely to prevent terrorism by monitoring individuals causing concern and are doing everything in their power to counteract different threats. The methods available to authorities for monitoring individuals are naturally limited by the available resources and the reasonable constraints of operating in an open society,’ Chief Superintendent Ryhänen says.
The technical and tactical methods of the police are confidential, and it is impossible to publicly explain them in detail without risking the effective operation of authorities.
Preliminary surveys are conducted for every individual returnee
The National Bureau of Investigation conducts a preliminary survey of every Finnish citizen returning from al-Hol in accordance with the Criminal Investigation Act. The case-by-case investigation maps the individual’s role in a potential pre-trial investigation, considering whether the person’s part in the criminal process would be that of witness, injured party or suspect.
After the preliminary survey, the question of whether a pre-trial investigation will be put in motion is discussed with the Office of the Prosecutor General. This is an established procedure in situations in which the suspected offence has taken place abroad.
‘It is often challenging to investigate suspected offences that have happened abroad. The standard of proof is the same as it is for offences committed in Finland,’ Detective Superintendent Mika Ihaksinen from the National Bureau of Investigation says.
The grounds for the apprehension of an individual are defined strictly within the law. The police have the right to apprehend an individual for a suspected crime under the conditions set in the Criminal Investigation Act and the Coercive Measures Act.
