Feb 18 • 13:20 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Ilta-Sanomat

Former Supo Director: Shouting and Pressure from Minister's Staff

Saana Nilsson, former head of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo), details instances of pressure from a minister’s staff in her new memoir.

Saana Nilsson, who served as the chief of staff at the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo), has made shocking revelations about the pressures exerted by a minister's office in her recent memoir, "Suojeluenkeli – Supolaisen tarina uhkista, uskollisuudesta ja itsensä unohtamisesta." Nilsson describes an alarming incident where she received a call during the night from a minister's aide requesting that Supo alter its assessments to align more closely with the minister's views on a governmental issue. This revelation highlights serious implications about the independence of security and intelligence assessments in Finland.

In her memoir, Nilsson emphasizes how she stood her ground against the demands, which were framed as a requirement for providing 'valid justifications' at an upcoming meeting. The pressure she faced is indicative of broader concerns regarding the political influence on security agencies, which are expected to operate independently of political interference. This incident raises crucial questions about the integrity of decision-making processes within such agencies in Finland.

Nilsson's story reflects not only her personal experiences in a position of considerable responsibility but also sheds light on potential vulnerabilities in the relationship between political figures and security services. As public trust in these institutions is vital for their effectiveness, such accounts can provoke discussions about the need for clear boundaries between political motivations and operational integrity within Finnish security organizations.

📡 Similar Coverage