The Antti Pelttari suspension took effect on 1 July after Finland’s Parliament unanimously decided to suspend him from his role as Secretary General. This move follows a criminal investigation related to his previous position as head of the Finnish Security Intelligence Service, known as Supo.
On Wednesday, the Chancellery Commission of Parliament voted without opposition to suspend Pelttari. The allegations against him include disclosing state secrets and official misconduct during his tenure at Supo. While Pelttari denies any wrongdoing, he has accepted the suspension.
The commission’s decision considered multiple factors. According to a Parliament statement, it weighed the legal safeguards protecting the official, the integrity of Parliament’s operations, and expert opinions provided by legal scholars.
During the suspension period, Pelttari will receive half of his salary. The current Deputy Secretary General, Mikael Koillinen, is set to take over Pelttari’s duties temporarily.
The Chancellery Commission consists of ten members, including the Speaker, Deputy Speakers, and four Members of Parliament. One Deputy Speaker, Paula Risikko, recused herself due to family connections to Pelttari.
Jussi Halla-aho, Speaker of Parliament, emphasized that the decision was made without political conflict. He noted that Pelttari’s acceptance of the possible suspension eased the commission’s work.
Public scrutiny and media coverage also influenced the decision. Halla-aho said the commission acted carefully given the seriousness of the case and the lack of previous similar situations.
Last week, Olli Mäenpää, emeritus professor of administrative law, advised the commission that not suspending Pelttari could pose serious issues due to the senior nature of his post and the gravity of the accusations.
The investigation focuses on Pelttari’s alleged involvement in international intelligence cooperation and the use of surveillance techniques under civilian intelligence laws. Reports by Yle and Helsingin Sanomat suggest that during Pelttari’s leadership at Supo, certain intelligence methods may have overstepped legal limits. It is also possible courts were not fully informed when approving surveillance requests.
The case is connected to a larger counterintelligence investigation involving retired officials. Authorities suspect classified information may have been leaked to Russian intelligence, possibly after a data breach on a retired official’s computer.
The Chancellery Commission stressed that its decision does not judge Pelttari’s guilt. Its sole focus was whether the ongoing investigation affects his ability to perform his current duties.
