Interpol Cooperation With Finnish Police
Interpol Cooperation With Finnish Police
Definition:
Interpol is the International Criminal Police Organization that facilitates cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat international crime.
Finnish police utilize Interpol for criminal intelligence sharing, international arrest warrants, and locating fugitives.
Legal Basis in Finland:
Police Act (872/2011, as amended) – grants Finnish police authority to cooperate internationally.
Mutual Legal Assistance Act (2011/1053) – regulates exchange of evidence and coordination with foreign authorities.
Criminal Procedure Act – outlines procedures for extradition and international judicial cooperation.
Key Functions in Finland:
Issuing and acting on Interpol Red Notices for wanted persons.
Sharing intelligence on organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
Facilitating extradition and cross-border arrests.
Coordinating with Finnish Customs, Border Guard, and Europol.
Case Law Examples
1. Supreme Court of Finland – KK2009:61, International Drug Trafficking
Facts:
Finnish national involved in drug trafficking network across Europe.
Interpol issued a Red Notice for arrest.
Finnish Police Action:
Police located suspect in Finland using Interpol database.
Suspect arrested and detained pending trial.
Court Proceedings:
Court considered evidence obtained from Interpol-coordinated operation in Germany.
Outcome:
Conviction upheld; Red Notice facilitated prompt international cooperation.
Significance:
Demonstrates Interpol’s role in locating international offenders for Finnish prosecution.
2. Helsinki District Court – 2012, Human Trafficking Across Borders
Facts:
Organized trafficking gang operating between Finland, Sweden, and Eastern Europe.
Interpol Cooperation:
Finnish police worked with Interpol to track suspects and share intelligence.
Coordination enabled simultaneous arrests in Sweden and Finland.
Outcome:
Multiple convictions; traffickers received lengthy prison sentences.
Significance:
Shows Interpol’s facilitation of cross-border operations in organized crime cases.
3. Turku Court of Appeal – 2015, Fraud Syndicate Case
Facts:
Suspects involved in international online fraud targeting Finnish banks.
Interpol Cooperation:
Finnish police used Interpol to identify suspects in Spain and Latvia.
Intelligence sharing enabled asset freezing and seizure abroad.
Outcome:
Court convicted main perpetrators; part of stolen funds recovered through international cooperation.
Significance:
Illustrates Interpol’s role in financial crime investigations and evidence sharing.
4. Supreme Court of Finland – KK2017:34, Extradition Case
Facts:
Foreign national accused of cybercrime in Finland located in another EU country.
Interpol Cooperation:
Finnish authorities requested Interpol assistance to verify identity and track suspect.
Red Notice issued; extradition coordinated with foreign authorities.
Outcome:
Suspect extradited to Finland; court accepted Interpol-facilitated evidence and procedural reports.
Significance:
Confirms that Interpol tools support Finnish courts in cross-border extradition cases.
5. Oulu District Court – 2018, Organized Arms Trafficking
Facts:
Finnish-based gang involved in illegal firearms trafficking from Eastern Europe.
Interpol Cooperation:
Finnish police received intelligence from Interpol on shipments and suspects.
Enabled pre-emptive raids in Finland and Baltic countries.
Outcome:
Court convicted traffickers; weapons confiscated.
Significance:
Shows Interpol’s preventive role and intelligence sharing in organized crime.
6. Helsinki Court of Appeal – 2020, International Money Laundering
Facts:
Suspects in Finland laundering money for criminal networks abroad.
Interpol Cooperation:
Finnish police coordinated with Interpol to trace funds in multiple jurisdictions.
International banking records shared through Interpol channels.
Outcome:
Court upheld convictions; partial recovery of laundered funds.
Significance:
Demonstrates Interpol as a tool for financial crime investigation in Finland.
7. Supreme Court – KK2022:18, Cybercrime and International Identity Theft
Facts:
Suspect committed identity theft targeting Finnish citizens but resided abroad.
Interpol Cooperation:
Finnish authorities requested Interpol assistance in tracking and apprehending suspect.
Red Notice issued; suspect arrested in foreign country.
Outcome:
Conviction in Finland; court accepted Interpol-facilitated evidence.
Significance:
Shows modern use of Interpol in cybercrime and international identity theft cases.
Key Observations from Finnish Case Law
Red Notices as a Critical Tool
Finnish police rely on Interpol Red Notices for identifying and apprehending fugitives abroad.
Cross-Border Intelligence Sharing
Organized crime, trafficking, and financial syndicates require real-time information exchange.
Extradition Support
Interpol helps coordinate extraditions, ensuring suspects face justice in Finland.
Integration with Finnish Courts
Evidence and reports obtained through Interpol are admissible and crucial in Finnish prosecutions.
Preventive and Investigative Role
Interpol facilitates preventive raids, seizure of illegal goods, and tracking cybercrime.
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