Ostensibly the properties were created by Russian companies involved with real estate and tourism. In 2018 the Airiston Helmi firm owned 17 such properties in the Turku archipelago from which 3.5 million euros were confiscated and two employees detained in the search. It was suspected that citizens of Estonia and Russia were involved in money laundering and tax fraud.
Due to the bad investment climate in Russia, money had to be (and still is) moved out, through legal and other means. Providing this service are tax havens, from which the funds are then re-invested, and the purchase of real estate – such as in Finland.
However the properties were fitted with advanced monitoring systems, and satellite communications, a helipad and numerous docking facilities including two auxiliary vessels purchased from the Finnish navy – items not necessary for family vacations.
While the Finish investigation did not initially uncover any national security threat, it did focus on organized financial crime. However in the context of Russian hybrid warfare capabilities and possible intentions, the properties are located in the vicinity of key maritime trade routes, submarine telecommunications cables, the refinery at Naantali and the Finnish naval base and command in Turku.
(Read more: Estonian Life No. 43 2021 paber- and PDF/digi)
Laas Leivat, Toronto
