Aarnio faces charges in Volka Ünsal murder case

The former chief of the Helsinki Police Drug Unit, Jari Aarnio, is facing charges in a murder case for his alleged involvement in the contract killing of Volka Ünsal at Vuosaari in Helsinki in 2003, said a press release issued by the office of Deputy Prosecutor General Jukka Rappe.

The deputy prosecutor general’s office suspects that Aarnio got information in advance about the murder but did not take measures to foil the plan.

Aarnio was the chief of the Helsinki Police Drug Unit during the murder.

According to law, he can be convicted to life-term imprisonment, if the allegations of his failure to prevent the offence are proven.

Former gang leader Keijo Vilhunen will also face a murder charge.

Four people -- three Finns and the Swedish man who ordered the hit -- have already been sentenced to life imprisonment for their part in the killing, reported the national broadcaster Yle.

Ünsal had stolen money from a crime associate after a robbery at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport and subsequently entered a witness protection programme, which he later abandoned, said the Yle report.

Aarnio was sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment for different charges including drug trafficking and official misconduct.

Both the accused, however, denied their involvement in the murder, the Yle report added.