Kokoomus councilor held for suspected fund collection, later released

A municipality councilor of the opposition Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) was arrested from his residence in Lahti on Thursday on charge of suspected money collection.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a drive arrested Simon Ekpa, the councilor of local municipality and released him later at night, although the NBI did not disclose the name and identity of the detainee.

“The National Bureau of Investigation has started a criminal investigation into a suspected money collection offence committed by a man living in Lahti. The suspect was apprehended in Lahti yesterday ( Thursday),” said the NBI in a press release on Friday, adding that the suspect was released later that night.

The operation was carried out as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into a suspected money collection offence, said NBI.

“The police have investigated the case since 2022, but the actual criminal investigation was opened at the beginning of February. It is suspected that the man living in Lahti has collected money in violation of the Money Collection Act. We have interviewed the suspect, but the criminal investigation is still at an early stage,” said Head of Investigation, Senior Detective Superintendent Tommi Reen of the NBI.

The police have also received many reports of the suspect’s actions on social media and it is investigated whether there is reason to suspect him of other offences.