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Fri, 13 Jun, 2014 01:36:38 AM Räsänen terms the issue serious FTimes-STT Report, June 13  Supo officials Antti Pelttari (Left) at a press conference disclosed the report in Helsinki on Thursday.Photo Lehtikuva. Radical Islamists pose a threat of terrorist activities to the country, according to the latest assessment by the Finnish intelligence service Supo.
The assessment report released at a press conference in Helsinki on Thursday, however, said the level of threat faced by the country is still low.
Supo said it is not aware of any concrete plans to attack the country and that Finland is not a primary target for terrorists.
According to Supo, the threat of terrorist organisations such as Al-Qaeda targeting Finland or Finns is low.
However, the rise of the threat is attributed to the returnees from armed conflicts abroad.
Supo estimates that between 30 and 40 people who were involved in the Syrian conflict have returned to the country.
According to Supo’s knowledge, a number of people have left the country to take part in the Syrian fighting alongside a radical organization that calls itself Isis (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).
Currently, more people who have links to terrorist organisations reside in the country than in the past.
Recently, a Finnish citizen of Somali background who left the country to participate in the fight in Syria is said to have died.
Life picture of Supo logo in-front of its office. Photo Lehtikuva. The man is said to have secretly left for Syria in December 2012 without his family’s knowledge.
Earlier, at least two Finnish citizens died in the fighting in Syria, Supo sources said.
Individuals from different ethnic groups including Finnish converts to Islam have travelled to Syria from Finland.
Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen regards the terrorism threat assessment by Supo as serious.
The minister, however, pointed out that there is no reason to fear.
The minister also emphasised the importance of increasing public awareness so that, for instance, families can identity if some of their members are considering leaving for conflict areas and possibly intervene.
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| Thursday, 25 April, 2024 |
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