Finland Times

 

Helsinki drug police chief Jari Aarnio. Aarnio is suspected of aggravated acceptance of a bribe, and gross malfeasance use. Doubts related to police surveillance equipment purchases. Photo – Lehtikuva.

Three police officers were arrested on Saturday for their alleged involvement in the corruption charges brought against Helsinki Police’s detained Drug Unit chief Jari Aarnio.

 

Another cop was also arrested; but was released later. “The police officer was released as there was no necessity for keeping him detained for the investigation,” head investigation officer Jukka Haavisto said, adding that the release did not mean that he was excluded from the suspects list.

 

Haavisto, however, did not disclose the details about whether arrest of police officers while holding office was breach of code of conduct.

 

According to Haavisto, investigations will continue throughout the weekend and the final decision regarding the detention would be made on Monday.

 

On Friday, assets worth about half a million euro – owned by Jari Aarnio – have been confiscated following a court order.

 

Helsinki district court proclaimed the order for freezing Aarnio’s assets, which he allegedly earned from undisclosed sources.

 

Aarnio was arrested on November 12 on charges of various crimes including taking bribes from a private company.

 

He is also suspected for receiving kickbacks from Trevoc Company and being involved in the procurement of supplies from the same company for his employer.

 

Earlier, the authority investigating the graft allegations also traced a huge amount of undeclared money spent by Aarnio. He was accused of spending more than EUR 200,000 from unknown sources.

 

The money spent for his housing project – under construction in Porvoo – was much higher than the amount showed by the police officer from his salary and bank loans.

 

Sources said the plot was bought against Aarnio's son, although he did not have taxable income and his wife had zero income. The plot was used to build a house, garage and sauna.