Finland's PM says a foreign power may be behind suspected break-ins at MPs' homes
Petteri Orpo said on Thursday it was "very possible" that a foreign power was behind a series of suspected intrusions at the homes of several MPs in the Helsinki area, after parliament speaker Jussi Halla-aho revealed the incidents and called their number "significant".
Finland’s prime minister, Petteri Orpo, has said it is “very possible” that a foreign power is behind a series of suspected break-ins at the homes of several MPs in the Helsinki area.
Orpo spoke on Thursday after parliament’s speaker, Jussi Halla-aho, revealed that reports of the suspected intrusions had reached his office last week. Asked whether a foreign power could be behind them, Orpo replied: “It is very possible. Quite possible in this day and age,” according to the Guardian’s report (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/01/finland-suspected-break-ins-mp-homes-foreign-power).
Halla-aho told a press conference that nothing was stolen or broken, but that signs of intrusion had been left in the homes. “I cannot comment precisely on the number of suspected cases known to us, but in any event the number is significant,” he said (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-police-investigate-suspected-intrusions-into-parliament-members-homes-2026-10-01/).
Helsinki police said a preliminary investigation with the National Bureau of Investigation is at an early stage; it is not yet clear how long the incidents have gone on (Reuters).
Orpo warned that election interference must be taken seriously with parliamentary elections due in about six months, noting that Russia had sought to influence elections in several European countries, the Guardian reported. “If someone tries to destabilise Finland, our sense of security, or our support for example for Ukraine, it has the opposite effect. It strengthens our unity,” he said.
Sources
- Miranda Bryant, The Guardian, 1 October 2026 (14:29 UTC): https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/01/finland-suspected-break-ins-mp-homes-foreign-power
- Reuters, “Finland police investigate suspected intrusions into parliament members’ homes”, 1 October 2026: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-police-investigate-suspected-intrusions-into-parliament-members-homes-2026-10-01/
- AFP reporting (via syndication): PM said the intrusions could “very likely” be linked to a foreign power.
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